CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier has pinpointed the recruitment of a new striker as his top priority ahead of the new season.

The Bluebirds report back in for pre-season training on Thursday, July 2 and Collier is keen to bolster his attacking ranks before the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division campaign gets under way the following month.

Fans’ favourite Charlie Griffin headed out of Hardenhuish Park at the end of last season, six months after his brother and fellow frontman Alan also called time on his Chippenham career.

Collier has now set his sights on a proven marksman to ensure the Bluebirds are a force to be reckoned with.

“We are looking for someone to make a difference and hopefully get themselves in the top five goalscorers in the division," said Collier.

“We have got people who can play there in Lee Phillips, Ashan Holgate, Mark Francis and Jack Odam but if we can add a quality goalscorer, that could be the difference for us as we know we are really strong in all the other areas.

“But a player like that does come at a cost so we may just have to be patient with it.”

Town’s attacking ranks have already received a shot in the arm with the news Lee Phillips is back fully-fit after a season blighted by injuries.

However, Collier is still keen to add another name to his talent pool, and hopes they can make an equally impressive impact as Ashan Holgate did following his arrival mid-season last term.

“From my experience I know players can go to a new club and then decide it’s not for them and become available again," added Collier.

“It’s something we will take our time with and if we had to start the season tomorrow we are more than happy with what we have got already.”