ANDY KING wants a new hit-man in attack but Malcolm Crosby feels the club's existing strikers need to adopt a more lethal approach in front of goal.

While the manager attempts to persuade Chelsea striker Sam Parkin to sign on the dotted line for three months, Crosby hopes a new face up front will spur others to greater efforts.

The assistant manager feels Eric Sabin, Danny Invincible and Alan Young have the potential to hit the back of the net on a regular rather than sporadic basis and he will continue to remind them of the fact at every opportunity whether they like it or not.

The Australian netted eight times while Sabin grabbed five during his first season in the English game. Young only arrived on the scene late in the season, his single strike coming in a 1-0 win over Blackpool.

Crosby hopes none of the players were satisfied with their respective totals in front of goal.

He said: "Maybe a touch more constructive criticism is needed where the strikers are concerned.

"For the most part last year our defenders defended pretty well, the midfielders worked hard and tried to create chances but we didn't get enough from our strikers in terms of goals.

"I think we have to put a bit more responsibility on their shoulders.

"Andy King and I will be looking for more from them next season.

"Targets will be set and they should strive to reach those targets.

"I want our strikers to give opposition goalkeepers far more work to do next year.

"Goals need to come from all areas but the bulk should be coming from your strikers."

Crosby and King have made no secret of their desire to bring in a new striker over the summer but the assistant boss expects those forwards already at the club to make choosing a front duo or trio as difficult as possible.

He said: "Danny, Eric and Alan Young have more than enough in their lockers to cause problems in the opposition box.

"Alan is still learning the game, as they all are.

"Eric and Danny both have tremendous pace but need to work on getting themselves into better positions.

"They need to be really tough on themselves and produce the goods more regularly.

"A healthy situation for a club is when you have competition for places. That's what we want with our strikers here."

There was no further progress this morning regarding either Bolton's David Norris, Chelsea's Sam Parkin or ex-Pompey midfielder Stefan Miglioranzi.

Chief executive Mark Devlin was awaiting an update from King on the Norris situation last night but he revealed to the Evening Advertiser that money would be found to accommodate Parkin and Miglioranzi if they agreed to sign.

He said: "Both the players Andy has talked to us about, we can contain within our current budget."