Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey is hopeful he can snap up a new striker before Saturday's trip to Chasetown in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Deacey has spent the last few days trying to find a frontman after being frustrated by missed chances in Monday’s home defeat to Marine.

It was a day of bad news for the Horsfall club because before the 1-0 home reverse, the squad were told that Amjad Iqbal had broken his leg yet again.

Iqbal, who had only just returned from a long stint on the sidelines, limped off in the 1-0 win at Ashton last weekend.

Deacey said: “The lad is devastated and I could tell that was hanging over the players on Monday.

“But that’s not an excuse for the defeat. We played really well but didn’t take our chances and you can’t afford to do that in any league, never mind this one.

“We have got to get a striker in who can capitalise on the chances we are creating. We have been looking at that for a while and I think its time to act now and there will be three or four new faces coming in to freshen things up.

“I have released Jimmy Beadle (to Whitby Town) and some others will be going because we need a bit of a shake up.”

Beadle follows defender Matty Plummer, who has signed for North Ferriby, out of the door and there are two or three players out on loan deals as Deacey clears the decks.

However, numbers are thin on the ground this week with Martin Drury, Richard Marshall and Ross Daly all suspended and Adnan Ahmed on duty with the Pakistan international squad.

Avenue remain fifth despite Monday’s home reverse and they would expect to bounce back at lowly Chasetown, although the midlands club did put in a good display at Horsfall Stadium in September as the hosts edged it 2-1.

Meanwhile, Farsley have home advantage over Clith-eroe in Division One and should have a new right back in line for his debut. The vastly-experienced Steve Nicholson, a former Farsley Celtic player, has returned to Throstle Nest.

Nicholson was player-manager at Wakefield but stepped down as the club reverted to amateur status to avoid a financial crisis.

Farsley will be buoyant following four straight wins which have lifted them to fourth. The home side are a lowly 19th after winning just four of their 17 league fixtures.