BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Brendan Kelly will step up his search for another striker this week in a bid to fill the void left by Jason Cowley's departure for League Two side Stevenage Borough.

Busy Kelly has been tracking a former Football League marksman but faces stiff opposition from a couple of Step 2 sides.

Kelly still has Richard Gregory and Shaquille McDonald at his disposal but remains mindful that most of his squad have never played at Step 3 level before.

He said: "There was never going to be a complete overhaul and we're not looking to make wholesale changes.

"I'm happy with what we've got but obviously if we don't start well, then we'll look at it again.

"We've already got some decent firepower at our disposal and all we are lacking is experience at Step 3 level.

"We faced the same situation last season at Step 4 but the players rose to the challenge and this time I feel we have the strength in depth to deal with it."

The Rouslers open their pre-season programme on July 16 with a trip to Littleton followed by a clash with Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough.

Kelly added: "I do have several trialists coming in but I would be reluctant to keep any beyond the Kidderminster game."

Other friendlies lined up include trips to Boldmere and Worcester City, even though they play at Sporting, plus home games against Cheltenham Town on July 30 in addition to entertaining AFC Wakefield and AFC Dunstable.

Busy Kelly also taken up the option to keep Will Shorrock on contract for another season.

He said: "We've activated the option and Will is happy with that. We had a great deal of interest in him last season, which is why we put him on contract in the first place.

"Will suffered a dreadful injury on New Year's Day that kept him out for a while but he came off the bench in the play-off final and changed the course of the game."