RONNIE MOORE is hopeful of making a much-needed transfer breakthrough today.

The Hartlepool United boss has been targeting a striker, and wants his new man to line up at Tranmere on Saturday.

However, it won't be Chris Porter, the Sheffield United striker, after he today signed for Colchester United. 

Moore said: “We are after a striker, a loan which they all are at this moment. We’ve been trying three weeks for it to happen.’’

Moore has made three loan recruits in Aaron Tshibola, Scott Harrison and Rakish Bingham, but has suffered plenty of frustration in his bid to get more in.

Pools, nine points shy of safety at the foot of the Football League, must win at Prenton Park and Moore said: “There’s kids out there, but signing them is a massive gamble. We need experience and I’m hopeful we might get one in for Saturday. It will be a striker with a bit of luck but we will know more today.

“We are desperate for experience up top – we have a little bit of pace with Bingham, a little bit of strength in Marlon, Scotty who is learning his trade.

“We have strikers, but they need a bit of leadership. We have been hanging on and hanging on.’’

Moore has been hopeful of getting Charlie Wyke back to Pools from Middlesbrough, but admitted: “We spoke to Middlesbrough and have been desperate to get Charlie Wyke back in, but at this moment in time his agent is guiding him in a different direction – he would be a hell of a signing for us, but it won’t happen at this moment in time.’’

Moore is looking at Travis Cooper, an Australian Under-23 striker, who has been playing in Holland.