Jewell eyes new striker recruit

Paul Jewell wants to add more competition to his Derby forward line but admits to being priced out of a bid for Wigan's Marlon King.

The Rams boss has already snapped up 22-year-old Stockport striker Liam Dickinson, Watford hitman Nathan Ellington - on a season-long loan - and kept hold of last season's buy Emanuel Villa to spearhead his front line in the Championship.

However, Jewell feels there is more scope for competition in attack and is desperate to get another player on board before the season starts on August 9.

He told the Derby Evening Telepgraph: "I'm not done yet by any means. There are still a number of other targets I am chasing and I want another striker before we kick off."

On a possible bid for Latics striker, King, he added: "Yes, we asked about Marlon King.

"I spoke to Wigan manager Steve Bruce but while I don't want to wait around, I don't want to dive into something that I might regret.

"I have got a few targets. Marlon King would be a big fee. There is no way we could afford the fee and the lad's wages, though, so I think with the Marlon King one, as much as we want to bring good players here, we have to be realistic about the budget.

"I thought we might have been able to do a loan deal but at this moment in time it's not going to happen."