NEWLY-APPOINTED Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan will attempt to add at least one new striker in the next few days, even though he intends to give youth its chance whenever he can.

Strachan is well aware of the reputation Boro’s Academy system has forged for itself over the years under the leadership of Dave Parnaby.

Strachan has no intention of ripping that up and he will be looking to make sure a production line that has reeled off the likes of Stewart Downing, Lee Cattermole, Adam Johnson and David Wheater continues to work its magic.

He admits that at this stage he is not familiar with the next crop of likely graduates, but he will be taking the time to ensure he does not allow any to slip through the net, having built up a reputation for giving youth a chance in his previous roles.

“The club have proven over the last 15-20 years that they have a good system in place, so that should not be changed,” said Strachan.

“What’s important is that I have good people alongside me. As well as the staff I want good players who are mentally strong, who can play the game. You need as many like that around you as possible.

“I can only bring young lads through if they are good enough. I know I will have to look at the Academy because financially this club is not as strong as ten years ago.

“But that was the same for me while I was at Celtic. If I’d had £30m to spend at Celtic, the likes of Stephen Mc- Manus, Aiden McGeady wouldn’t have come through.”

If there is one position the Middlesbrough Academy has failed to fill over the years it is up front, with the likes of Andy Campbell, Danny Graham, Tom Craddock and Ben Hutchison – ironically signed by Celtic during the Scot’s reign – all moving on.

It is that area where Strachan is looking to improve his options before Plymouth arrive for his first match in charge on Saturday, with both Caleb Folan and Jeremie Aliadiere sidelined through injury.

The 52-year-old has already drawn up a list of players to target, with Birmingham’s experienced striker Kevin Phillips, Wolves’ Scotland international Chris Iwelumo and Manchester United’s Federico Macheda believed to be among his options.

As a Football League club, Middlesbrough are allowed as many loan signings as they wish but only five are allowed to be included in match-day squads.

“At the moment we have a weakness with a couple of strikers injured, so we will try to develop that area,” said Strachan.

He admitted he has had a chat with Gordon McQueen about player recruitment but has not started to think about the January transfer window.

“We are clearly short on people who can score goals.”

When Strachan was paraded in front of the fans on Monday afternoon, he had a piece of paper with the names of Kyle Naughton (Spurs), Andy Griffin (Stoke), Marc Albrighton and Isaiah Osbourne (both Villa) and Portsmouth’s Hayden Mullins scribbled down. He also included Arsenal’s highly-rated midfielder Jack Wilshere, along with the three forwards.

One of his biggest problems at the turn of the year, however, could be how to retain the services of Adam Johnson.

The left-winger, out of contract next summer, is being tracked by a number of clubs, while David Wheater is likely to be targeted again.

Strachan is determined to keep the right players who fit into his plans around him, while doing his best to bring in those capable of powering Middlesbrough back to the Premier League.

“The secret of success is getting good players around you and it is important to have good players like Johnson and Wheater,” he said.

“The average age of this squad is 23 and a half and that’s young. The average age of the Celtic team I had was 25. I will have a look over the next couple of days and assess things.”

One of the sticking points surrounding Strachan’s appointment was believed to have centred around a desire to bring in more of his own backroom staff, along with number two Garry Pendry.

Strachan, however, has insisted he is looking forward to working with Colin Cooper, Steve Agnew, Martin Scott and the rest.

He said: “I am happy to work with everybody to try to keep continuity.”

Martin goal wins it for Boro

AN INEXPERIENCED Middlesbrough reserve team recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Emley yesterday.

Striker Gary Martin struck the only goal after five minutes to secure the league points.

None of the Middlesbrough team had any first team experience and included Cypriot Onisiforo Roushias for the first time.

Middlesbrough: Ripley, Otte (Shead 85), Weldon, Saiko, Atkinson, Smallwood, Porritt (Gray 69), Dolan, Roushias (Oliver 79), Martin, Park. Sub (not used) Smith.