Blues' boss Joe Royle has put his search for a loan striker on hold now that Darren Bent and Alun Armstrong have got themselves amongst the goals. Royle had been keen to add a loanee to his strike force with bids for Duncan Ferguson and Geoff Horsfield both failing in the last couple of weeks.

Royle was more impressed with his side's attacking endeavours against Walsall but is still after more from them: "I feel a lot happier now about my own strikers, but I'm not daft enough to think that one game changes everything. We have to keep climbing away from the bottom end of the table and get after the leaders.

"Generally, I was pleased with what our front men did. There were a lot of good signs, they both scored and made more chances than in any other game this season."

Royle admits he will keep an eye on the striking situation and on targeted players - he had a list of 20 - but is not likely to make a move in the short-term.

Sub Pablo Couñago was also close to getting on the scoresheet, Walsall keeper Jimmy Walker repeatedly frustrating him in teh closing stages. Royle says he expects the Spaniard to break his duck soon.

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