ROSSENDALE manager Paul Lynch has told Clitheroe he wants their star striker Lee Cryer.

Lynch is looking to make the finishing touches to his squad and sees Cryer as his number one priority.

"We have competition all round the team but not in the strikers department," said Lynch.

"We need another and Lee's one who has always been in mind."

The Clitheroe hitman has fired the North West Counties side to the top of Division One this term, but a move to Dale would mean a step up in class.

Lynch expressed his interest in acquiring Cryer's services yesterday and the striker is currently considering his options.

The Dale boss is also looking for another centre half, despite his current squad beginning to show their true worth.

"Three weeks ago we lost 2-1 at home to the bottom team but I have brought players into the squad and they have settled in and are getting used to each other," added Lynch.

And he is optimistic that his side will continue their current form in the second round of the FA Trophy at home to Bridlington tomorrow.

"It will be a tough game, as cup games always are," believes Lynch.

"They went up last year and are up there again this year but we've got to be confident on the back of a three game unbeaten run."

The East Yorkshire side lie third in Division One of the Unibond with Dale in the bottom half, but things have been looking up recently.

"It was a draw last week but we should really have beat them," the Dale boss said.

"Leek were top of the league so we've come a long way if you think that we lost to Ossett a few weeks back."

Reaching the second round has been a big step for Dale - they have not been that far since the 60s - but Lynch is hoping for more.

"It will be a good opportunity for the lads to have a nice break from the league and progress even further," he said.

Doni Clarke returns to the Dale squad after missing last week's visit by Leek Town due to flu. Otherwise the squad is unchanged and the team will be named after tonight's final training session.