Ayr United move for SPL striker

Jan 22 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR UNITED are close to landing an SPL striker on loan as David Gormley prepares to become the latest player to ship out.

Boss Brian Reid wants to add at least three players before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

And he says a striker is a priority after freed Bryan Prunty joined Alloa on an 18 month deal, following skipper Chris Aitken and Scott Agnew out the door.

Junior Mendes and Mark Roberts are left as Ayr’s only recognised front men although Kevin Cawley, Ryan Stevenson and Aaron Connolly are all capable of shifts up front.

Teenager Connolly came off the bench for the last six minutes of Monday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Brechin which booked a fifth round trip to Livingston or Dundee.

Reid said: “A few players have left and there might still be more so we definitely need to bring in some bodies.

“I am hoping to sign at least three, if not four and one, if not two strikers, is a priority. I would like to bring in players until the end of the season at least.

“We are down to the bare bones but the transfer market isn’t exactly buoyant at the moment. Everything seems to happen in the last week.”

A move for former Hibs striker Tam McManus, who impressed in training, looks to be stalling. He is currently at Grimsby who are keen to see him in a trial game. Any offer would very likely trump anything Ayr can come up with.

Another former Hibee, midfielder Ross Chisholm, also looked the part at training but has offers from England to consider.

Reid is keeping the identity of his SPL loan target under wraps but confirmed: “The deal is agreed in principle and I’ll speak to the club concerned later in the week. All I will say is that he is reasonably young.”

The need for a new hit man is gathering pace with Gormley on his way. A deal was being worked on this week with Alloa on the trail of the youngster who has just completed a loan spell at Albion Rovers.

Squad places are now up for grabs with former skipper Aitken now at Stirling and midfielder Agnew on loan at Stranraer. A young defender from Sunderland has now returned south.

Wanted man Stevenson remains an Honest Man despite being the subject of fierce transfer speculation.

A growing number of clubs are all known admirers with Gordon Chisholm (Queen of the South), James Grady (Morton) and Davie Irons (Partick Thistle) taking in the Brechin cup tie.

Boss Reid said: “No news is good news as far as I am concerned.”