Alan Pardew is eyeing up a move for a loan striker – but not before he’s got tomorrow’s “acid test” against Gillingham out of the way.

The Saints boss is desperate to get his side back to winning ways in League One and to finally get his team into positive points for the season.

Pardew is aware of the increasing pressure on his side, particularly at St Mary’s after the midweek defeat to Bristol Rovers which ended their six-match unbeaten run.

He has admitted considering making a loan move for a striker to play alongside Rickie Lambert but does not want that to distract from tomorrow’s game or the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Torquay next Tuesday.

He said: “I think Saturday is a bit of an acid test for everybody and none more so than the squad itself.

“I include the staff in that as well because it’s a big game for us all and we need to answer a few questions and we’ll look at things once we get past the cup game in the week because nothing will happen before that.

“I think looking at the squad now we’ve settled down there is room.

“If you look at our second striker and the contribution we’ve had in that area it’s not been great.

“Lambert scored for us again and he really needs to have somebody in and around him that’s as dangerous as him."

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