Sampson added Tadhg Purcell to his squad this summer

Northampton Town's search for a new striker is looking like a lost cause, according to boss Ian Sampson.

The Cobblers have four first-team forwards, although Steve Guinan is on the transfer-list, and Sampson has been in the market for a fifth option.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: "We'll put it on the backburner as we've been looking at a system with one upfront.

"We're still searching but the targets we've had we've been knocked back on, so we'll keep looking."

Guinan looks set to be muscled out of Sampson's thinking by new-boy Tadhg Purcell and youngsters Courtney Herbert and Billy Mckay, but the Cobblers boss has been impressed with the former Hereford man's attitude.

"Everyone who is in the squad is in contention for a starting place and I can't praise Steve enough," he said after Town's 1-0 friendly defeat by Coventry on Wednesday.

"He's come back bright and I thought he led the line quite well. He's done everything he needs to do."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Chris Dunn could be out for up to two weeks after injuring his ankle in training.

Sampson is confident the 22-year-old will be fit for the start of the season but is considering bringing in a short-term loan signing as a replacement.

Middlesbrough stopper Jason Steele, 19, is a likely target after experiencing a 13-game spell at Sixfields at the back end of the last campaign.

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