Colin Todd has drawn a blank in his attempts to bring in a fresh face.

The frustrated City boss has had his mobile phone glued to his ear in a bid to attract a loan player.

But so far his concerted efforts have met with a negative response from prospective targets.

"I have exhausted my phone trying to get someone in," admitted Todd, who has been scouring the country looking for available talent.

"I've been looking at players from the Premiership and Championship but clubs have either been reluctant to let them out of their squad or they have been injured. But we will keep on trying and hope that something will come off." Todd is chasing a striker to replace Dean Windass when the City frontman's five-game ban begins on Monday. He has drawn up an impressive list of names but the search is proving fruitless.

With Steve Schumacher

suspended against Bristol City on Saturday, Todd was also looking for midfield back-up. But after sounding out a couple of possibilities, he is likely to shelve that plan and go with what he has got.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson may be moved back into the middle from the right flank or Tom Kearney could come into consideration again.

Todd said: "I'm just going to have to shuffle the pack around in

midfield and see what can happen.

"But obviously we're going to be affected up front with the ban for Windass and I want to make sure there is a new face in for the MK Dons game next week."

Winger Bobby Petta will miss that trip to the National Hockey Stadium after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season on Tuesday.

Darren Holloway also joined Lewis Emanuel on four bookings and Todd will be keeping his fingers crossed that neither get into further trouble this weekend.