CHELMSFORD City manager Mark Hawkes says he is in no rush to boost his forward line following the news striker John Sands is to have his double hernia operation earlier than planned.
It means the Clarets have only two fit senior strikers in Michael Cheek and Southend United loanee Jason Williams, with academy products Sam Gregory and Jake Gordon also available.
But with Cheek having scored 14 goals this season, and with Williams notching his fifth and sixth in just seven appearances for City in Saturday's 3-2 win over Eastbourne Borough, Hawkes is happy to wait for the right man.
When asked if someone would be brought in before Saturday's Conference South trip to Hayes & Yeading, the manager said no, but he added: "I'm always looking and if the right player comes along we'll see what we can do.
"There may be new faces there might not be, but we're not in a rush. We have two young lads at the club in Sam and Jake who we like the look of."
Sands joined City last month after leaving Canvey Island, and at the time Hawkes revealed the 27-year-old's planned procedure had been delayed until the summer.
But this week the Clarets announced that Sands, who has been suffering with a rib injury picked up in the win over Bath City, has joined Ryman Premier Bury Town on a dual registration.
He will aim to get match-fit with the Suffolk club before and after the operation, scheduled for after Christmas, and City expect to have him back for the final two months of the season.
Sands made just one start and one substitute appearance for the Clarets, but Hawkes doesn't feel it was a risk bringing him in.
"I don't think it was a gamble, it's just unfortunate with the knock he's taken," said the City boss. "He was stamped on the ribs in the game against Bath and he hasn't been able to shake it off.
"He was having trouble breathing when he was walking about, so he's not been able to train and be up to the fitness level he needs to play at this level."
However, City need not worry as, in Williams, they have one of the in-form strikers in the division.
The 19-year-old has extended his initial one-month loan to a second month and the Clarets will be hoping his success doesn't see him recalled to his parent club, much like goalkeeper Tony Thompson, who went back to Rotherham United last month.
Hawkes says Williams is reaping the rewards for all his hard work. "I'm pleased for him," said the boss. "He comes in and he works hard at training and during the match.
"He started off a bit slow, but that's all part of getting used to non-league football, but he's picked up what's expected of him and he's getting all that he deserves at the moment.
"Jason is as close to the Southend first team as he can be without actually being in it, they think that highly of him.
"He has signed on for another month and we will see where we go from there.
"We're just grateful to have someone of Jason's calibre and if he does get called back then that's a situation we'll have to act on."
