CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has said he would be prepared to play a waiting game with his striker search in order to ensure he gets the right man.

Howe, who has been linked with a host of attacking players over the summer, is adamant he will not be rushed into a short-term fix ahead of the new season.

Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell, speaking early last month, confirmed a bid had been rejected by Burnley for former Dean Court youngster Danny Ings.

And, since then, the club is understood to have missed out on a couple of other possible targets with a move for ex-Norwich striker Simeon Jackson hijacked by German outfit Eintracht Braunschweig.

Earlier this week, reports from abroad suggested Cherries had been unsuccessful in their attempts to prise Malmo star Tokelo Rantie from the Swedish club.

However, while Malmo's sporting director Per Agren said his club had no intention of selling Rantie, the Daily Echo understands Cherries could renew their interest in the 22-year-old.

Rantie is expected to feature when Malmo face Swansea in a two-legged Europa League qualifier tonight and next Thursday - with Cherries believed to be closely monitoring the outcome.

Cherries have also been linked with a number of proven Championship and Premier League strikers, with Charlie Austin, who today joined QPR, Jason Roberts, Carlton Cole and Billy Sharp among them.

However, despite the financial backing of wealthy co-owner Maxim Demin, these players are believed to be out of the club's price range, particularly in terms of their wage demands.

Manager Howe this week boosted his attacking options with the loan signing of creative midfielder Andrew Surman on a season-long loan from Norwich City.

And Howe, who never comments on transfer speculation, confirmed the club was continuing to “look, talk and negotiate” in its bid to bring in new recruits.

But with the transfer window not due to shut until the end of this month, Howe looks certain to bide his time in his pursuit of bolstering his squad.

Howe is sweating on the fitness of striker Brett Pitman ahead of Saturday's Championship curtain-raiser against Charlton after the 25-year-old tweaked his hamstring in the Real Madrid friendly.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Howe said: “We are aware that we are light in the striker department, especially with the injury to Brett.

“As always, we have things we are looking at to try to strengthen the squad. But until everything falls into place, it is a difficult one to comment on further.”

Should Pitman fail to recover, Wes Thomas, who netted six times in the Championship during loan spells at Blackpool and Birmingham last season, and Lewis Grabban would be in contention to start up front against the Addicks.