Striker Search Continues

Last updated : 15 March 2002 By Andy Beill

Gary Alexander and Lawrie Dudfield will start in attack tomorrow as Gary Bradshaw and Rodney Rowe are injured.

After attempts to sign Sunderland's Michael Reddy and Kevin Lyle failed, City are forced to look elsewhere.

"We're following up several lines of enquiry," said Billy Russell, "but at this stage of the season it's not easy to bring in a suitable player. Basically, we're looking for a big, burly type of striker because that would give us another option in terms of the way we can play.
"If we don't get anyone, it's not the end of the world because we've every faith in the players already at the club."

Powerhouse Tranmere forward Wayne Allison, who hasn't started a game for Rovers in over a month, is one of the names being linked with a short stay in Hull. City are looking for a big, strong forward, and the former Halifax, Bristol City, Swindon and Huddersfield striker certainly fits the bill.

Burnley's out of favour 34-year-old attacker Andy Payton has also been reported to be on his way back to Boothferry Park. He netted 55 goals in 116 league starts over a six-year spell with the Tigers between 1985-91. He went on to have unsuccesful spells with Middlesbrough and Celtic, before establishing himself with Barnsley and Huddersfield. He then joined Burnley in 1998, scoring 81 goals for the Clarets. This season has not been a happy one for him, struggling to make the Burnley line-up and then being loaned out to Blackpool. The Lancashire club would presumably be happy to let him leave to get some first team football, and he has previously said he wouldn't mind returning to Hull.