CARL Macauley is looking to add more firepower to his Vauxhall Motors squad after losing youngster Pat McFadden to injury.

The 21-year-old forward has been ruled out for up to three weeks after damaging ankle ligaments in last month’s Cheshire Cup tie at Altrincham, leaving the Motormen short-handed up front.

Macauley will look into the loan market to solve his striker shortage.

The Vauxhall manager said: “I have Tom Rooney, Karl Noon and Rio Nelson, who is really a winger, to choose from up front. What I really need is another striker in case one of them gets injured as well. I may only be able to bring one in on loan but I need to sort something out.”

Chairman Alan Bartlam has said that if Macauley can identify a player of real quality, the club could make funds available for his capture.

“I am always prepared to sit down with the manager and discuss a player,” he said. “If Carl makes a strong case for a player and his impact on the team, then it would be possible to release some extra funds.”

Motors are facing their annual battle for survival in Blue Square North with a squad which has shown flashes of ability.

They are currently third from bottom in the table and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the second qualifying round by Southport on Saturday.

Bartlam wants to see more encouraging performances turned into victories.

“Some games we have played fantastically, usually against better opposition, but fate has conspired against us,” he said. “Other times we have simply played badly, but we have only won one league game and one Setanta Shield match out of 12 matches in total.

“Life is never dull for a Vauxhall Motors fan, but we need to convert more league games and put more points on the board.”

Macauley agreed with his chairman, praising his squad’s qualities but calling for more end product.

“They train hard and they have put in some good performances so far this year,” he said. “But against the teams around us, like Hyde, we have not picked up points and we have to because come the end of the season that is what will decide our fate.

“We will be fighting for survival this season and the battle has to start now.”