John Rankin says he has a "burning desire" to add a new striker to his Hamilton Accies squad.
The New Douglas Park gaffer has been pushing for weeks to bring in a new frontman but his efforts have so far failed to come to fruition.
Although he is still working in the background to further strengthen his squad after the captures of loan strikers Dylan Stephenson from Newcastle and Connor Smith from Hearts, Rankin admits nothing is imminent ahead of a trip to Inverness on Saturday.
He said: "We are still trying to get a striker in but it is proving difficult.
"The burning desire is still there to bring someone who can improve us.
"We'd love to bring in an attacking threat to help us score goals. We are always hopeful but there is nothing imminent right now."
One player who has moved out on loan is Jonny Ngandu.
The midfielder joined League Two Stranraer yesterday on a deal until the end of the season after struggling for first team football of late.
He has made 14 appearances for Accies since joining in the summer and enjoyed one of his best games in December when he helped the club to a 1-0 win away to Inverness.
But Rankin said: "I think it is important that Jonny goes and plays games. He played a role in the firs part of the season, but it didn't quite work out the way we had hoped.
"So it is important for Jonny's development that he goes out and plays.
"Stranraer asked about him and Jonny wanted to go and play.
"He is a young guy looking to make a career for himself so for him to go and play games is important for him and us.
"Rather than him being here and not playing much, he goes there to get more experience.
"He played the last time we were up in Inverness and played a couple of games after that, then he found himself out of the team.
"That's what happens in football.
"He did well that night in Inverness and we need to produce a similar performance to that this Saturday to get something from the game."
Meanwhile, one piece of positive news for Accies is that they expect midfielder Tom Sparrow to be back with the squad at the end of the week after he returned to parent club Stoke City for treatment.
Rankin said: "With Tom Sparrow, there is a possibility we will see him back up the road on Sunday.
"Stoke took him back down the road and I haven't set eyes on him recently so I couldn't tell you where he is, but the advice from Stoke is that it is very positive news and he can be back up with the squad very soon."
Accies have no further injury worries following last Friday night's defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Cup.
Connor Smith is back in contention having missed the game against his parent club and Rankin offered an update onm the progress of injured duo Steve Lawson and Marley Redfern.
He added: "Steve has been doing light running and some passing drills so he is slightly closer than most to coming back.
"Marley has been doing the same but nobody else is any further forward."
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