COLIN Todd is on the brink of ending his search for a striker.

The Wanderers boss, desperate to reinforce his Premiership attack, is hoping to conclude a deal before Saturday's Reebok clash with Aston Villa.

"I'd like to think I would have somebody in before weekend," he confirmed today.

"I still have some work to do on the deal but we definitely have something on the boil."

Todd is maintaining his policy of refusing to divulge details of the player or the club he is dealing with until the transfer is complete be he has dismissed reports in the North-east that he is challenging Middlesbrough for the signature of Wimbledon's Dean Holdsworth.

The Wanderers boss has travelled far and wide recently, making no secret of his determination to land a new striker - a matter of even greater urgency with danger-man Nathan Blake missing the next three games.

He was on another scouting mission last night and missed seeing his team struggle to overcome Leyton Orient in the Coca-Cola Cup.

Now, after a series of close calls, I understand he has reached the stage of discussing personal terms with his latest target.

Blake signed off with two goals as Wanderers survived a string of defensive calamities to progress to the third round of the Coca-Cola Cup.

Held to a 4-4 draw on the night, they won the tie 7-5 on aggregate and will meet the winners of the Millwall-Wimbledon tie, which resumes at the New Den tonight with the Dons leading 5-1 from the first leg.

Wanderers may have added to their already crippling casualty list.

Michael Johansen was stretchered off with an ankle injury and Arnar Gunnlaugsson aggravated a stomach problem he'd complained of in Monday night's reserve game. Both were having fitness checks today.

Wanderers will face Rochdale in a friendly at Spotland next Tuesday to mark the opening of the Third Division club's new stand.

The kick off is at 7.45.

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