Leicester City, 11/4 to finish bottom, slumped to their fourth defeat in a row against Aston Villa last time out, and are now without a win in 10 Premier League matches.
Their stuttering strikeforce has been singled out as a reason for their poor form, with the Foxes having notched up just four in their past eight fixtures.
Argentine attacker Leonardo Ulloa finally quenched his goal drought against the Villans but, after hobbling off with a suspected bruised thigh, it’s clear Nigel Pearson needs to pluck a new poacher from the January sales.
Coral writers put their heads together to come up with potential frontmen for the Foxes, so here’s what we came up with.
Troy Deeney (Watford) Birmingham-born predator Deeney would surely jump at the chance to make a move to the top tier, and return to his home region. The Watford frontman headed many a Premier League hitlist over summer, after bagging 24 Championship goals last term, but the Hornets stung circling clubs with a eye-watering pricetag.
Leicester themselves had a bid rejected, but should return for the fearsome forward after his hat-trick heroics against Fulham last time out. Still just 26, and a proven poacher, Deeney would represent a smart investment.
Jermain Defoe (Toronto) Defoe appears to have his pick of clubs this winter window, but Pearson could swoop for the ex-England frontman. The 32-year-old’s experience could prove essential in a relegation fight, but the Foxes will have to offer competitive wages to beat QPR to his services.
The former Tottenham striker has lost none of his sharpness on attacking instincts, netting 11 times in 18 MLS appearances.
If Defoe spurns their advances, Leicester could always turn to another former Three Lions forward, with Foxes old boy Emile Heskey back in the frame and training with Bolton Wanderers.
Aroune Kone (Everton) The Ivory Coast attacker recently returned from a long injury lay-off and needs to regain match sharpness. This will only come through game time, but Roberto Martinez has moved on since singing Kone from Wigan Athletic.
With Sameul Eto’o and record-signing Romelu Lukaku blocking his way at Goodison Park, the 31-year-old could turn to Pearson and the chance to earn a starting spot.
Andrej Kramaric (Rijeka) Croatian hitman Kramaric has been making waves for club Rijeka this campaign, alerting clubs from across the continent after grabbing 28 goals in 22 games in all competitions.
The 23-year-old is rumoured to be on Italian giants Juventus’ radar, as well as interesting Premier League big-guns Chelsea and Tottenham. The Foxes will no doubt have a fight on their hands to land the four-capped Blazers forward, whose contract runs out in June.
Blessed with pace, acceleration and a wicked strike from distance, crafty Kramaric could provide much-needed competition for front pair Ulloa and Dave Nugent.
Yaya Sanogo (Arsenal) French strike Sanogo impressed for Arsenal during pre-season but has had little chance to shine since. The Auxerre academy product has proven he has a taste for the big stage after striking against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Far from the finished product, the pacy centre forward still needs to find his feet in the Premier League, which may not suit struggling Leicester, who have so far failed to integrate Manchester United loanee Nick Powell.
However, if the Foxes, evens to stay up, cannot find the funds to land a top target, they could do worse than take punt on the powerful frontman.
