NEW Bristol City boss Keith Millen is confident he can bolster his injury-hit squad ahead of Saturday's npower Championship fixture against Barnsley at Ashton Gate.

Millen, who stepped into the Ashton Gate hot-seat following Steve Coppell's surprise resignation, is scouring the transfer market for a striker and a left-sided player.

Talks are on-going and the 43-year-old Londoner says he is hopeful of bringing in two new players before the weekend.

Although Millen has acted as caretaker manager on two previous occasions, this is the first time he has been personally responsible for recruitment. And he refutes claims that it will be more difficult to attract players now that Coppell has gone.

"I don't think it makes any difference," said Millen.

"I'm confident in my ability to do well and I'm confident in my man-management skills.

"I believe players will want to join Bristol City because they will see that it is a well-run club and an ambitious club that is going places."

Coppell may have left, but the club's immediate transfer targets remain unchanged. Millen said: "There are a couple of on-going targets that Steve and I identified earlier in the summer and we are still in for them.

"Just because Steve has left, does not mean those deals are dead. We are still talking and we remain hopeful.

"Things have been difficult for different reasons – either the fees are too high, the agents' fees are too high or the club in question does not want to sell. Loans can also be difficult in the market as it is currently.

"But I've spoken to the chairman over the last few days and reiterated the need for new players in certain areas. The chairman agrees with me and is quite happy to support me in the transfer market and I'm hopeful we can bring in two new faces before Saturday's game against Barnsley."

Millen is unable to call upon injured strikers Nicky Maynard, Danny Haynes and Sam Vokes and urgently requires support for David Clarkson, the only available forward with extensive first-team experience.

"We've missed Nicky Maynard desperately and he is going to be out for a long time yet," added Millen. "Danny Haynes is also out and it will be several weeks before we see Sam Vokes back on the training ground.

"We also have a shortage of left-sided players. The areas in which we need help are obvious and I'm aware of the type of players I need to bring in."

So far this season, City have been forced to rely on rookie winger Albert Adomah, a summer signing from League Two Barnet. He has started all three games and played in an unfamiliar position as a lone striker at Doncaster on Saturday.

"Albert did a terrific job for us at Doncaster on Saturday," said Millen. "You have to remember that we are asking a young lad, who was brought in to be a bit-part player and find his feet in the Championship, to play in every game for us.

"He'll learn from it and he will be stronger for it as well. But for now, we are asking an awful lot of him."

Two of City's three goals this season have been the product of set-piece routines and the team has hardly threatened to score in open play, a shortcoming Millen is keen to address ahead of Saturday's clash with Barnsley.

He said: "I want us to pose more of a threat in the final third. For that to happen, we first need that bit of quality, so that when the final ball comes in, we have someone who can finish."

As revealed in the Post earlier this month, City have been pursuing young Arsenal striker Jay Simpson. But agents' fees have proved a stumbling block and Millen is believed to have switched his search elsewhere.