Boss Paul Jewell says he has his eye on four or five players ahead of the start of next season with new strikers very much in his thoughts. The Town manager says he is looking to build a squad of 22 players competing for places in his side.

Jewell said: “I have a two-and-a-half-year contract and success is not going to happen overnight. It is a long-term job.

“Before the start of next season I have four or five players in mind that would come in and bring us something extra, and the current players are looking for me to do that.”

The Blues boss, who was spotted at Derby watching his former side lose to Doncaster last night, is looking to replicate the fire power at one of his other previous clubs and at the current top Championship sides: “When I was at Wigan and got promoted to the Premier League we had Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts and one or two others scoring a lot of goals.

“And if you look at Cardiff, Nottingham Forest and QPR this term, they all have players who can get you 15 to 20 goals. If we can get that, we have got half a chance.

Jewell, who is understood to have made unsuccessful loan moves for West Brom's Simon Cox and Aston Villa's Nathan Delfouneso, is looking to build on the players currently at the club: “I think there’s quality here but we need to add more quality, let’s not kid ourselves. And the players would want that. If I was a player I would want the manager to bring in good players.

“There are two ways of going about it, you can fight even harder to make sure he doesn’t take your place or it’s going to improve you as a group. It’s a squad game now and, although I’m not one for making massive changes, we need 22 quality players.

“Every manager will tell you that you need 20 outfield players, quality players, so that if they go into the team it doesn’t get weakened too much. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

The Town boss has also reiterated that he will look to secure the out of contract players he wants to keep once the Blues' Championship status is secure.

Photo: Action Images

h32 added 21:59 - Mar 3 bluelady & pinewoodblueboy - the problem is that you people, who are SO easily satisfied, and 'oh so happy' to be so - think everyone should feel the same as you. It's your choice to 'always be optimistic', no more or less, than perhaps others to be otherwise. Like I've said some people are born winners - some born losers, and satisfied whatever. I will always be happy when our club is winning. We pays our money, or not, - and takes our choice.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:28 - Mar 3 I,m obviously easily pleased & not a born winner, however, i think i could only be more depressing in my outlook than certain people if beelzebub was poking me in the rear whilst listening to Morrisey & watching Norwich City for eternity. Back to team matters, Mr Jewell will sign some players who will turn us into a top six side, be patient & give him time.
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bluelady added 07:24 - Mar 4 H32 easily pleased I am not I too will let my feelings known when its all going wrong as I did under keane, but what I refuse to do is get depressed about things before they even happen sorry can't see the point in that life is far too short!! Sayin oh we won't do this or do that, whats the point eh? If come Sept we have not signed anybody then I will certainly join you in feeling cheated until that happens I will remain optimistic!

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