ROSSENDALE boss Jim McCluskie has six players on his shopping list for the summer.

And top of the pile is an out-and-out striker who he hopes will boost his side's goal tally so they can go all out for promotion to the UniBond Premier Division next season.

The Dark Lane chief knows he has to add to his squad who, after winning the NWCL Division One championship, were firmly in the driving seat up until Christmas for another promotion.

But injuries, especially, caused Dale to fall away and now, after the final game of the season at home to Trafford tonight, they look like they will finish in around ninth position.

"We are disappointed but this is the highest position we have finished in the football pyramid, so you have got to put things in perspective," said the Dale chief.

"You have got to look at where we were three years ago and see how far we have come. But I am an ambitious manager and I want to be successful.

"We have had a look at what this league is about. And adding six or seven people to the squad is top of the shopping list.

"I have a few people in mind but we will have to see what happens. We need to bring in some experienced UniBond lads."

Craig Sargeson is the main hitman with 20 goals while 19 other players have got on the scoresheet for Dale this season.

"Our goal return is not that bad. We have got 65 goals, we would just like to bring someone in who can put another 20 onto that."

Unfortunately top players cost money. McCluskie has not yet spent anything but he can see the club going down that line in the near future.

"You have to look at clubs like Accrington and they have proved that you need to spend.

"They have two or three lads up front that have cost a bit but their goal return shows they are worth it. That is the way football is going at whatever level.

"I have got a chairman, Andrew Connolly, who has his head screwed on and we haven't thrown big money at it.

"We have got ourselves organised on the pitch and it helped us win the North West Counties title and has helped us this season.

"We will have to see how we get on now but the way football is going, players are going to cost money.

"Saying that we have young lads coming through and the players who have made the step up are one year better for it."

A huge boost next season will be the return of defender Steve Bird. Dale did not concede a league goal until September and then had an eventful FA Cup tie against Barrow which they eventually lost on penalties - and also lost influential Bird with a broken leg.

Since then, and other injuries to the likes of Jerome Fizgerald, Dale faltered but the good news is that Bird is on his way back.

"He has been doing some cycling and he is looking like his old self. He is a great character and can bounce back. If anyone can, he can."

And then he'll see where it takes Rossendale.

"We have come a long way. The ground is right and the building of the indoor sports centre should get underway next season and it is hand in hand with the success on the pitch. The club is going in the right direction."