WEYMOUTH boss John Hollins has described preliminary talks with a mystery forward as very interesting' as he continues to step up his search for a strike partner for Stuart Beavon.

Last week the Terras lost out in the race to sign former AFC Bournemouth forward Steve Fletcher to Crawley Town and yesterday versatile player Matt Bailey sealed a switch to Northwich Victoria.

Bailey spent a spell on loan at the Wessex Stadium at the end of last season and did hold talks about becoming a permanent fixture after his release from Crewe Alexandra but Hollins seems to have plenty more aces up his sleeve.

He said: "What we did initially was target people and we quickly filled the back four positions with the players we wanted, so it is now about finding a centre forward. We held talks with Steve Fletcher but he decided to go elsewhere and now we are talking with other players.

"Like I said there are plenty of forwards out there and yesterday I did speak to someone who is very interesting but I will let people know more about him if he comes.

"As for Matt, we always said we were interested in him but at the same time we also said if something comes up which he feels is better then go for it. That was something we told all the players and I now wish him well at Northwich.

"In football it is natural to receive a few knock backs but at the moment things are looking quite good.

"I have still not heard anything from Paolo Vernazza and Michael Malcolm and their offers are still on the table but with every new player that comes in perhaps they won't be there for much longer."

As well as up front, the Terras also need to find at least two goalkeepers after releasing Jon Stewart and Dave Roberts at the end of last season and seeing Stephen Henderson return to Bristol City from his loan spell.

Hollins is still keen to bring Henderson back in a second loan switch but has also admitted that time is of the essence.

He added: "Stephen has been offered a new deal at City this week and we want to have him here but he is also another one we can't wait around for.

"We can't wait until the games start and then be told no' you can't have him, we have got to look after ourselves.

"He was fantastic for us at the end of last season and like I have said hopefully he will be with us but in the meantime we will keep looking at other options with the same quality."

* Former Weymouth skipper Simon Weatherstone has joined Crawley Town.