West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce admits he's shopping for cover for Enner Valencia.
Ecuador international Valencia was granted a work permit to complete his move to Upton Park last week but did not travel with the squad to Germany for this weekend's Schalke 04 Cup.
The 25-year-old now needs to build his fitness and will miss the campaign opener with Spurs a week on Saturday.
"He (Valencia) needs to do at least three weeks' work before we'd consider him for the first team," said Allardyce following his side's 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Schalke last night.
"So yes (I want to sign a new striker). I hope it happens before Tottenham, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
"Everyone is trying extremely hard - especially the chairmen."
