CHELTENHAM Town boss Mark Yates has agreed personal terms with a striker who boasts a goalscoring record to rival any other player in the lower leagues.
The Echo understands Cheltenham are expected to finalise their first new signing of the close season period today.
Yates is chasing at least two front men, as well as Swindon Town wide man Luke Rooney and a central defender ahead of his fourth full season at the helm.
Chairman Paul Baker is confident the signings targeted by Yates will excite fans as the Robins bid to go one step better after successive play-off disappointments.
"The two forwards I am thinking of have both had good games against us and scored lots of goals at different levels," Baker said.
"They both know their way around and they are probably different types of players to those we've had recently.
"We need someone who can work together with Byron Harrison and these players are pacy, tricky and exciting.
"We all know the problem last year was that we didn't score enough goals and that is clearly something Mark will be looking to address."
Cheltenham look set to release striker Darryl Duffy (pictured right), who has still not spoken to Yates about his future, while last season's leading scorer Shaun Harrad and Paul Benson have returned to parent clubs Bury and Swindon Town respectively.
Meanwhile, Baker has revealed skipper Russ Penn turned down an 11th-hour offer from a League One club to sign his new two-year deal with Cheltennham.
"It was really important to get Russ Penn signed on again, but it was not cut and dry," Baker said.
"A League One club came in at the last minute which was geographically not too far for him to travel and it was higher-level football on a bigger wage.
"But Russ has an affinity for the club and he gets on very well with Mark and the fans here.
"We had to push the boat out and we did because he's a fantastic asset and I think this sends out the right message that we are doing our very best to keep our best players.
"It's also fantastic to get Stevie Elliott on board because he's an awesome character around the club and he had a great season."
