RICHIE Wellens is hopeful of revealing a new striker to his squad in the next week, and will seek to negotiate a contract with trialist Lawson D’Ath.

The Town boss revealed no more than his hope at announcing the club’s forward-thinking target in the next week, but did state D’Ath’s pre-season output has been sufficient enough to earn him a contract at SN1.

Striking a deal with the Witney-born midfielder is Wellens’ next obstacle with the 26-year-old.

Should talks fail with D’Ath’s agent, the Town boss won’t stress too much – adding that Dion Conroy’s impact in the holding role is likely to be beneficial for Town through 2019-20.

Wellens said: “Lawson (D’Ath) is different to any midfield player we’ve got. He wants to run in the box and wants to score goals.

“He’s played at Northampton and MK Dons so is used to this level. I’ll have a conversation with him and his agent, if it’s good enough for us then we will try and do it.

“If it’s not, then I’m not overly desperate. I think Dion (Conroy) can be really good for us and sit and break the game up.

“I know what’s required after playing in that position, and Dion does need a bit of work. But if we get that work into him, then he can be a top player in that position.”

The expected arrival of a striker is unlikely to be the only business Wellens will complete in his forward ranks this summer.

The former Oldham boss is keen to bring wide players into his squad.

And surplus to requirement players Jermaine McGlashan and Toumani Diagouraga are likely to play a key part in the Town boss’ business.

Wellens added: “I need Jermaine (McGlashan) and Toumani (Diagouraga) out to free room for a wage that will get me the striker I want.

“There’s no point me rushing in now, when I know my pot can get bigger as time goes by.

“We’re close with one, we think we’ve got him. We’ll just have to wait for that to be finalised.”