PAUL Sturrock returned home from Town's pre-season tour to Austria yesterday admitting he still faces some big decisions about the make-up of his County Ground squad.

The manager, pictured, has conceded that some of his plans are still a "puzzle,'' as he wrestles with particular problems, including how to boost his thread-bare frontline.

Triallists such as Spaniard Ibon Arrieta and Portuguese Guiema were given their chance to impress during the pre-season campaign.

But Sturrock insists that there is plenty still to be decided, with friendlies against Bristol City on Tuesday and Exeter next Saturday looming.

The County Ground chief said: "We have had a few players stepping into the squad and showing what they can do.

"I have done a bit of work looking for strikers this week, but it has been difficult getting managers, with training going on and most teams abroad.

"It has been a successful pre-season, but it just highlighted the kinds of decisions that have to be made.

"I have to think about things.'' He added: "On the triallists we have had, no cut and dried decisions have been made yet.

"The two games coming up will have a bearing on that.'' With the proposed takeover of the club still being thrashed out in secret, it's clear the uncertainty continues to hamper the manager's plans.

However, Sturrock found positives from the Austrian trip, which ended with a 1-0 defeat to Italian side Rodengo Salono Brescia in Rosenheim, Germany, on Thursday night.

He said: "Miguel (Comminges) has come out on tour as a big positive.

"He has shown he will fit in very well.

"Lee Peacock has also shown he can do a job up front, but hopefully we will have added a striker or two by the start of the season.

"Hopefully we still have a couple of jigsaw pieces to fit in the puzzle, but I am still positive about the way things are progressing.

On the takeover, he added: "These things do not happen overnight.

"Hopefully it is taking its course.''