Hughes wants more fire-power

By Graeme Bailey  

Hughes wants more fire-power

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Mark Hughes has confirmed he wants to add another striker to his squad before the start of the new Premier League season.

Hughes has already snapped up Dutch starlet Maceo Rigters to provide competition to Jason Roberts, Benni McCarthy and Matt Derbyshire, but he wants more options.

"We're looking at players and I'd like to bring another striker in to compliment the players I already have," Hughes said.

"Obviously strikers more often than not will win you games and I'd be more comfortable with another experienced striker in the building to go along with the ones I've already got.

"Most managers do have a shortlist at this time of year. How realistic they (the targets) are is open to debate.

"But we're in the mix and we're making enquiries, we're still hopeful and there's plenty of time left in the window.

"As we stand, even if I didn't do any more business, I'd still be quite comfortable but we would like to bring another striker in."

Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz has been linked, but Hughes refused to comment on him.

"We've been linked with a number of strikers. Some of those have been bought and those that are left we will be linked to," he added.

Hughes was also quick to rule out any possible departures - with McCarthy and Roberts both reported targets for other clubs earlier this summer.

"There's a lot of speculation about a lot of my players but more often than not they still stay here and they still play for Blackburn Rovers," Hughes told Sky Sports News. 

"That's the case with Benni, he knows the situation. We've not had an official bid from anybody for any of our players this summer.

"There's been talk in the media that clubs are interested in certain players but we haven't had to knock back any official approaches. I'm happy with the squad, happy with the strikers that I have."