Luiz Felipe Scolari has given the clearest indication yet he will chase another striker in the transfer window to boost Chelsea.

Not content with having two of Europe's best target men at his disposal, Scolari considers that Chelsea's armoury of out and out strikers is not sufficient to launch a credible assault on Manchester United's Premier League title.

Speaking of the challenges he has faced since arriving at Stamford Bridge, Scolari said: "It's fantastically easy for me when I have all my players - it means more choice. But much of the time I have only 14, 15 or 16 players.

"When I have Drogba, Anelka, Di Santo and maybe one more player in the future, it will be very good for me. But when I have only one available striker it is difficult."

Scolari's concerns are based on solid ground. Didier Drogba is out for the next three domestic matches, following his FA ban for throwing a coin into the Burnley end during last week's Carling Cup defeat, and Franco Di Santo is not expected to be fit for some time, due to a hamstring injury picked-up in the same game.

Chelsea also have Ivorian forward Saloman Kalou at their disposal, but Scolari has mainly chosen to overlook him as a centre forward - playing him instead as a wide man.

The recent speculation has linked the Blues with Michael Owen - although sources close to the club say this is merely gossip put about by the player's agent.