BLACKPOOL Football Club is scouring the transfer market in a bid to bring a Christmas present to Bloomfield Road.

The club is desperately seeking a striker to bolster an injury and suspension-ravaged squad.

Leading scorer John Murphy is suspended for the Christmas period, missing the Stoke City match on Boxing Day and Colchester on December 28.

Loan striker Brian Quailey also looks set to miss the two games while he undergoes treatment at West Bromich Albion for a hamstring injury. And with Brett Ormerod out for the season, that leaves few options up front.

No loan players can be brought into the club with two already on the books, and David Lee is to be offered a third month's loan, rather than a contract.

That suggests the club may have to buy a player, but finances will dictate who he can bring in. 17-year-old Adam Nowland had to play the full 90 minutes at Preston paired with Junior Bent. Worthington even toyed with the idea of putting Clark Carlisle up front for the game, but his decision to keep him at the back may reap the club a higher dividend.

Rumour and speculation in the National Press suggest the Seasiders have already turned down £750,000 for Carlisle, and Tottenham Hotspur may offer £1 million in the near future.

Carlisle has been monitored by a number of clubs this season, and spent time training with Chelsea.

John Hills will be suspended for the Colchester match, paving the way for Steve Bushell to return to the side, following his one match suspension.

A proposed double transfer with Stockport County has collapsed.

Defender Ben Johnson has returned to the Division One outfit after failing to impress Nigel Worthington and Barry Shuttleworth has returned to Bloomfield Road, with praise - but no contract offer - from manager Andy Kilner.

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