Spalding United boss Zakuani looking to add a goal-getter to his squad

Ambitious Gaby Zakuani is hoping to add more firepower to his Spalding United squad ahead of Saturday’s tough test at play-off rivals Coleshill Town (3pm).

The Tulips, who are without a win in five games and have fallen ten points off the top five, are hoping to end that run when they visit a side sat fourth in the Pitching In NPL Midlands Division table.

But Zakuani knows that he needs to add more goals to his Spalding side – and is hopeful of getting a few deals over the line before the weekend.

Having handed debuts to new recruits Ben Stakie, Emmanuel Fernandez and Ethan Bojang in the 0-0 draw at Wisbech Town on Saturday, the former DR Congo international admits he’s been tweaking his side in a bid to reignite their campaign.

“It’s a tough time of year to be making changes to your squad,” admitted Zakuani. “But I just feel we’ve been missing spark and goals.

“The new lads helped bring some spark and showed their ability at Wisbech, but we are still lacking a goal threat.

“My priority at the moment is getting some strikers in and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to sell our ambitions to our targets – as players tend to be settled wherever they are at this stage of the season.

“As I said after the Wisbech game, we’re creating chances but are struggling to finish them off.

“Going to Coleshill on Saturday, we need to be more clinical in our finishing.

“It’s a tough game for us and the fact they play on 3G isn’t ideal – our record on that kind of pitch isn’t great.

“Coleshill are a settled side from what I understand and they know what they’re doing. They’ll be organised and difficult to beat and showed how good they are by winning at Halesowen on Saturday.

“We obviously want to get into the play-offs, so it’s a big game in that respect.”

Spalding will make the trip to North Warwickshire without striker and early-season captain Gregg Smith, who has joined former club Grantham Town on what Zakuani expects to be a three-month loan.

Smith has three goals to his name this season, with the Spalding boss still keen for him to have a future at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Zakuani added: “You’ll struggle to find a better striker than Gregg at this level when it comes to being aggressive and holding up the ball.

“But he needs to learn to curb his aggression a little and show a little bit more restraint.

“Hopefully during the loan he’ll work hard and will want to come back here afterwards.

“If that’s not the case, so be it and we’d wish him well.

“He needs to work hard and show me he wants to improve.”

Spalding will also be without long-term injury absentee Marcus Maddison at Coleshill, while Liam Adams is a doubt after picking up a knock at Wisbech last week.

Coleshill who defeated then leaders Halesowen Town 2-0 last Saturday, are on a four-game winning run and are just two points off the lead.