Hull City in market for strikers as Matty Fryatt remains on sidelines
HULL City boss Steve Bruce says the continuing absence of Matty Fryatt is keeping him on the lookout for extra fire-power up front.
Fryatt, who ended last season as City's top scorer with 16 goals, has missed the opening month of the Championship campaign.
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Matty Fryatt is yet to return to training
The 26-year-old suffered damage to his Achilles tendon in the opening day Capital One Cup victory over Rotherham, and is still to return to training.
Having also missed a chunk of pre-season before his latest setback, Bruce admits Fryatt faces a long road back to full fitness.
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He will play no part against either Millwall at the KC Stadium this Saturday, or at fierce Yorkshire rivals Leeds United on Tuesday night.
And Bruce admits that has left him scouring the market to add to his striking options.
"Obviously, with Matty still out injured we are looking," Bruce told the Mail.
"I have always said that as a team you are as good as the strikers available to you, and you collect them if you can.
"They are the ones who ultimately score the goals to get you the wins and they make the difference."
Bruce moved quickly in the summer to address the lack of goals which hampered the Tigers under Nick Barmby last season, bringing in £2.6m man Nick Proschwitz from Germany, and Sone Aluko from Rangers.
He also tried to sign QPR's Jay Bothroyd on loan before the closure of the transfer window, with the former Cardiff man opting for a move to Sheffield Wednesday.
Now operating in the re-opened loan market, Bruce continues to be linked with former Tigers loan star Fraizer Campbell.
However, whilst he admits City would of course be interested, there has not yet been any indication he is available from Sunderland.
Now, Bruce says it is a case of ensuring any further additions are players who are right for the balance of the squad.
"When the opportunity comes up to bring in a player who will improve the squad, we will have a look, and that is the conversation I have had with the owners," he said.
"At present though I may have to be a little bit patient."
It has been frustrating start to the new season for Fryatt, who, after toiling up front alone for much of last season, has yet to experience playing in Bruce's more attacking formation.
"Matty has had an injection and we hope that he will be able to start training again at the end of the week," Bruce said.
"Matty has only really had 10 days of training with us in Portugal and then he was ruled out, so he is some way behind and has a lot of to do to get his fitness to where it needs to be.
"He's not had any real pre-season at all, so he has a lot of work ahead. At present he has not been able to train because he has been in pain.
"Hopefully, he will be pain free by the end of the week and then he can start on the road back."
Comments
by merlin_
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 11:39AM
“Fraizer should really take a grip on his situation. As I see it O'Neil wants to offload him but at the right price - hence the offer of playing for a place. Fraizer will be benched at best most of the season. If we can get the right deal, as a loan signing with a view to if we get to the Premiership, he'll get games and still have all options open. He could be the catalyst here again. Win win for everybody.”
by takeitinmy
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:04AM
“Proschwitz looks a little better after each game, so developing slowly. Aluko fits in already, what a great signing. I'd try to tie down Elmohamady, looks like a very capable player, all over the pitch.
I wouldn't blame Fraizer Campbell if he chose not to come, after the treatment he's had playing against us. However I'd really like him to return. Definately a Premier League standard player.
Someone like DJ Campbell of QPR, who isn't playing would do...”
by Wakey_Tiger
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:00AM
“All this is making Bruce's huge signing of Nick P look a bit limp. The guy needs games, surely?”
by bored_marker
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 8:35AM
“I've not seen City play yet this season but i would imagine that with 4 strikers available for selection Bruce should be able to get at least one of them scoring. I know Simpson has been playing well but if Proschwitz and Aluko aren't given the time to develop in this league are we not just filling the ranks with strikers for the sake of it?
Also, is Mclean being treated more as an attack-mid/winger? I know he's not got much on the end of his runs but surely his hold up play should be giving him a shout of some game time.
I know we don't see fully what goes on behind closed doors (especially under this adminsitration) and I do trust the managments judgement but you would hope that their not just bringing players in for the sake of it.
Don't get me wrong I'd be pleased if we did get Campbell on loan (or similar) but having spent considerably I'd like to see what these players can do before bringing in too many new faces and causing selection headaches and potential dressing room rifts.
UTT”