Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill is determined to strengthen his squad’s attack despite encountering two challenging setbacks this week in his search for a striker.
So far this summer, Cotterill has secured six new signings across several positions, including goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and a winger. As the new season approaches, with Cheltenham hosting Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup first round on August 8, he is focusing on adding a striker, two wide players, another midfielder, and a defensive reinforcement.
However, his efforts hit a snag when one of his primary striker targets suffered a severe hamstring injury during a recent match, ruling him out of contention. Another promising forward seemingly chose to move to a higher-tier League One club, leaving Cheltenham back at square one in their striker hunt.
READ MORE: Slimbridge AFC 1 Cheltenham Town 6: Pre-Season Friendly Recap
READ MORE: Cherished Mum and Grandmother Among This Week’s Gloucestershire Funeral Notices
“It’s disappointing,” Cotterill admitted. “Our chief scout watched the game and reported the injury, so that option is off the table. We quickly turned our attention to another candidate, but he looks set to join a League One side, meaning we have to start over.”
Despite the setbacks, Cotterill remains philosophical but acknowledged the blows felt like a “kick in the teeth.” He praised the current squad’s efforts and emphasized the importance of deepening the team. “We have to be smart, persistent, and relentless in finding the right players given our budget constraints,” he said.
The manager’s optimism was buoyed by Cheltenham’s dominant 6-1 friendly win over Slimbridge AFC, newly promoted to the Southern League Division One South. Charlie McCann and George Miller each scored twice, while Jordan Shipley and Mark Barber also found the net. Slimbridge’s lone goal came from Jack Smith in the 48th minute.
Notable appearances in the match included new midfielder Shaun McWilliams, who played his first game for Cheltenham shortly after becoming a father, and substitute goalkeeper Wyll Stanway, who came on in the second half. Club captain James Wilson missed the game due to a calf injury but is expected to be available for the upcoming Carabao Cup fixture.
Undeterred by recent obstacles, Cotterill is motivated to keep strengthening the squad and is confident in building a strong team for the season ahead.