City hope to snare a mystery midfielder today after their loan striker bid was thwarted.

Peter Taylor could still unveil a new face in the squad despite missing out on his target up front.

Taylor believed the striker would be sorted yesterday afternoon when he agreed the move with his club. But the player himself was thought to be reluctant to drop into League Two.

Third-bottom City have netted only three goals in the first six games and Taylor wants to launch their stuttering campaign into life at home to Gillingham tomorrow.

He said: “We’re still waiting to get our season started. With a little bit of hard work and luck, as well as better decision-making, hopefully it starts this week.

“We’ve had honest chats with different groups ie strikers, midfielders and defenders, and I don’t think we’re a million miles away from getting that result we need.

“It’s just nerves. I haven’t got an issue with the work rate but it’s the decisions we’re making at times.

“Players can’t turn round at the end of the season and say ‘I didn’t perform well because I was nervous’. That’s ridiculous.

“In that case, those players will be on the scrapheap with all the others looking for clubs.”

Striker Chib Chilaka has been offered a first pro deal after his lengthy trial at the club. Seb Carole and Malvin Kamara have both gone but Taylor sees potential in the raw Nigerian.

The City boss said: “It might just be a case of expenses-only to carry on looking at him. But Chib’s sensible and understands that.

“He knows he’s not going to get a tremendous contract that will make him a rich lad. He’s not ready for the first team yet. That’s a long job.

“But he’s enjoying it here because he’s learning his trade.”

Chilaka was thrown in the deep end as a sub against Preston in the Carling Cup last month.

It was a tough start for the former Bridlington frontman but Taylor added: “That level was nowhere near what he’d been playing at and we explained that to Chib.

“He scored a very good goal (in the reserves) the other night and I think he’s got a lot of promise.

“There’s something about him and he looks a handful. He could be a good player.”