SCUNTHORPE United have put on hold their search for another new striker.

That is the one part of the jigsaw manager Alan Knill still feels may be missing from his squad for this season.

He has targeted two specific front men but has been unable to pursue his interest because each player is under contract to another club.

For the moment, it seems he is prepared to play the waiting game rather than look elsewhere.

"We still have the same targets, but we are a bit more relaxed about it," Knill declared.

"We had a board meeting the other day and we all felt we would look at it again towards the end of pre-season.

"We already have a big squad here and it will give us an opportunity to assess what we have got.

"It will also give other clubs the opportunity to have a look at their squads too."

For the time being, the United boss is happy to go with the three forward players he has already brought in this summer to strengthen his squad.

Jordan Robertson, Jimmy Ryan and Andy Barcham all offer different attacking strengths.

But while they all have the ability to score goals, none of them is recognised as a prolific marksman.

That is probably what Knill feels is still missing from his armoury.

It puts an emphasis on the shoulders of Chris Dagnall and Garry Thompson to come up with the goals.

Dagnall did so two years ago at League Two level for Rochdale, scoring 20 times in their promotion season.

But the step up to Championship level proved a big one for him to make and in a weak attack last season he struggled to make an impact in front of goal, scoring just five times in the league.

Knill will desperately be hoping Thompson can finally shake off his injury problems this season.

He proved himself a capable marksman in the Championship towards the end of the season before last – but just four starts last term has left a big question mark about his ability to stay fit.

Beyond that, Scunthorpe have to hope Bobby Grant or Matt Godden can blossom this season.

Grant is still looking for his first goal for the club since his move from Accrington last summer, while former youth trainee Godden is still looking for his first senior start.

If Knill does decide to take the plunge again into the transfer market, then he has until the end of August to do so before the opportunity of a permanent signing then closes until January.

A long-term loan is still another option and that could be something he decides to pursue if the two players he has been targeting remain out of his reach.

United start their programme of pre-season friendlies at Bottesford Town (3pm) today and are in action again at Winterton Rangers (7.30pm) on Tuesday.