Plymouth Argyle manager Peter Reid has been far from inactive when it has come to bringing in players since he assumed command at Home Park at the end of June, but he is not finished yet.

Defender Lee Molyneux and midfielder Anton Peterlin have been given contracts by the Pilgrims, while goalkeeper David Button and midfielder Dean Parrett have been brought to Home Park via loan transfers. There is one major gap in Reid's squad which he still wants to fill, however.

Rory Patterson is the only striker to find the net for Plymouth in a competitive fixture so far this term. During the Pilgrims' pre-season friendlies, the only Argyle forwards to score against professional opposition were Joe Mason (with three goals) and Steve MacLean (with one).

It is not hard to work out where reinforcements are needed. When Reid was asked about his targets before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, he replied: "I'm still looking for that front man.

"That's still a concern for me," the Argyle boss added. "Anybody who can stick into the back of the net will do me.

"I've got a few irons in the fire, and I'm hoping one of them will come to fruition," Reid said. As for his overall business so far in the transfer market, he added: "I've changed one or two things [in the squad], but I'm still not there in terms of what I want.

"There are a lot managers in the same boat and, as you get closer to the deadline, things will happen."

Rory Fallon is not the only striker on Argyle's books who has not yet scored a goal this term, but he was an unwilling centre of attention last Saturday. His performance in the first half of the 1-1 draw with Carlisle United in the Pilgrims' first npower League One game of the campaign prompted Reid to remove him from the fray eight minutes before half-time.

When Reid, who takes his side to Walsall for a League One away game on Saturday, was asked if Fallon still had something to prove to him, the manager replied: "They all have something to prove. I had to change things last Saturday.

"I didn't think I was getting anything out of it. It was a professional decision by me [to replace Fallon with Patterson, who scored Argyle's goal last Saturday], it was just my decision, based on how I felt the game was going."

Fallon played for Argyle's reserve team in Tuesday's 4-0 totesport.com Combination defeat at Swindon Town. His hopes of starting at Walsall on Saturday do not seem high, but Reid refused to rule out the New Zealand international from his selection plans.

"The boy just needs football matches," Reid added. "He's off the pace, but he's 6ft 4in and, for a target man, he has all the attributes. We've just got to try and get it out of him."

Fallon's lack of goals so far this term at club level is unlikely to cost him his place in the New Zealand squad. He seems certain to be called up to play in two international friendlies on home soil in October.

The All Whites, who were the only unbeaten team at this summer's World Cup finals, will entertain Honduras on October 9 and Paraguay on October 12. Fallon, assuming he is picked by New Zealand, will miss Argyle's League One home game against Charlton Athletic on October 9, and is unlikely to be considered for their away game at Notts County on October 16.

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings, whose side will take on the Pilgrims at Bescot Stadium on Saturday, has invited Republic of Ireland international Jon Macken to train with his squad this week.

The 32-year-old is a free agent, having been released by Barnsley at the end of June. He cost Manchester City £5 million in 2002 when they bought him from Preston North End, and he has also played for Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Derby County.

Plymouth Argyle have allowed assistant head coach John Carver to speak to new Sheffield United boss Gary Speed as the Blades look to rebuild their backroom staff. Pilgrims manager Peter Reid said: "Sheffield United called me and gave them permission to have a chat with John."