Bartlett wants Jeffers to join him in the firing line

Shaun Bartlett today urged Alan Curbishley to recall Francis Jeffers for this weekend's trip to Everton.

Jeffers has struggled to make an impact since joining the club last summer for £2.6million from Arsenal. But he came off the bench to create two goals in Saturday's 3-1 win over Birmingham.

Bartlett has been leading the line on his own in recent weeks and would welcome some company up front.

The South African said: "Any striker prefers playing with somebody next to him as it can get quite lonely up there. It lessens the workload as well, so I would welcome playing alongside Franny. We have a good understanding in training but have not had much time together on the pitch. I am hoping this could be the start of things to come.

"I am good in the air and he reads the game well, so it is a good combination."

Curbishley was delighted with Jeffers's contribution in making goals for Bartlett and Danny Murphy after Mario Melchiot had cancelled out Talal El Karkouri's opener. But he suggested Jeffers would have to do more to force his way in the starting line-up. He said: "Franny is a great finisher and is looking ever so sharp. He made two goals on Saturday and we will see what happens. I have a lot of faith in him but maybe he has not got faith in me."

Curbishley hopes to sign several players during the transfer window, with Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson and Valencia striker Bernardo Corradi his top targets, but is not anticipating a flurry of activity.

He said: "It is a crazy month and I am not sure how much business will be done. There is not much going on at the moment."