CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier was disappointed not to add another ingredient to his side after missing out on Swindon Town forward Josh Cooke.

The striker was recently recalled from his loan spell at Cheltenham Town after failing to get a start at Whaddon Road.

Collier saw an opportunity to give the first-year professional a chance to get some game time but with Mark Cooper happy for the striker to head to Hardenhuish Park, Cooke turned down the offer.

“We put in an offer but that is where it ended,” said Collier, who was without a recognised striker for Tuesday’s draw with Frome Town.

“I think Mark Cooper was happy for Josh to come - I think we have got six or seven games in October - and they were happy for him to play in the FA Cup at the weekend against Bradford.

“We thought it was going to go through, but we found out on Friday that the player turned it down.

“That is his choice, but we were disappointed. I thought it would have been a good chance for him to come and get some football.

“We’ve had our injury problems and have had a couple of suspensions and everyone would like a bigger squad but we are mindful that we have a tight-knit squad.

“After this weekend - (Andy) Sandell will definitely play more of a part on Saturday - we expect Oli Taylor to be fit, Lee Phillips to be fit and Ashan Holgate completes his suspension.

“The urgency is not there, but if we can find a player who can improve our squad then we will definitely be interested.”

Chippenham drew Uxbridge in the next round of the cup in Monday’s third qualifying round draw and, while the Evo-Stik League Southern Central Division opponents are not the easiest away trip, Collier sees it as a chance to progress further.

“It could have been a lot worse but it could have been a lot better,” added Collier.

“I suppose everybody wants the weakest team, or the lowest ranked team in it, but it wasn’t to be.

“We are playing a team the division below us so that looks good on paper but if you look at their last result they beat Dartford from the Conference South.

“A difficult game awaits us and they will be well organised and set out to give us a tough game.

“Supporters have been starved of a cup run for a little while and a club like Chippenham deserves a cup run.

“It is a game that we should look forward to and more finances for the club.”