Ngog injury forces Hodgson to up striker hunt

Liverpool's search for a new striker has been exacerbated by an injury to David Ngog, who has been forced to withdraw from the France Under 21 squad.

The French FA have been told Ngog has picked up a hamstring injury and cannot play in Euro Under 21 qualifiers against Ukraine and Malta.

Liverpool are yet to reveal how long Ngog will be sidelined, but he was not among their 18 players for the 1-0 win against West Bromwich on Sunday despite being named in the provisional squad on Friday.

The 21-year-old had started the season well, particularly with Fernando Torres still being nursed back to match fitness, and boss Roy Hodgson refused a loan approach from West Bromwich.

Hodgson admits he still wants to sign a striker before the transfer window closes on Tuesday and is keen on West Ham's Carlton Cole.

'We've got space to add a player,' he said.

'We'd like another striker, we've said that all along and there's no point me denying it. But we still haven't found the right man and time is running out for us.'

The Reds have also lined up a bid for Brescia target man Andrea Caracciolo in case Cole proves elusive.

Liverpool are willing to offer £7million and have even discussed a straight swap involving Ryan Babel but West Ham want at least £10m straight cash for 26-year-old England striker Cole.

Caracciolo, 28, will be familiar to West Ham fans after he scored against the club for Palermo in the UEFA Cup in 2006. He is 6ft 4in tall and could join on loan if Liverpool improve their offer.

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, 25, will imminently decide on a move to Merseyside.

Sunderland, meanwhile, are also interested in Cole but fear he will choose Liverpool ahead of them.

Chairman Niall Quinn hopes to wrap up an £8m deal for Rennes striker Asamaoh Gyan but Steve Bruce would still like one more addition.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.