Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Steve McClaren wants to add a striker in the mould of the typical Newcastle United number nine to his squad this summer.

McClaren already has goalscorer Papiss Cisse who wears the shirt but he admits getting another forward – who fits in with the goalscoring traditions of a shirt that was worn by Alan Shearer, Andy Carroll, Malcolm Macdonald and Jackie Milburn – would be “great”.

United want Charlie Austin of QPR while West Ham’s Andy Carroll has emerged as a shock target this summer. Bas Dost, the Wolfsburg striker, was also linked on Thursday as McClaren gets his feet under the desk. No new signings are imminent, but the club are increasingly hopeful of landing Austin.

Speaking to the Chronicle for the first time since his appointment on Wednesday, McClaren set out his vision for a team that “fights” the way the team did against West Ham on the final day of the season – and while he says the result is king, he will make room for flair.

“One thing I want to see is exciting players – a bit of pace, a bit of speed and individualism. This crowd has always had a number nine-style player and it’d be great to get one of them in,” he said.

One of the criticisms of Alan Pardew’s United was that there was not much identity about his side, but McClaren wants to implement a philosophy.

He said: “Believe me, every manager would say they want to build this exciting team that attacks all the time and scores goals. Ultimately though, you want to build a team that wins. We’re in the results business – there are different ways to achieve that and different styles. Sometimes you have to be pragmatic and work with what you have.

“I’ve got a vision and I know what I want to achieve. What I saw on the last day (of the season) against West Ham – the whole build-up, the message from the owner and the atmosphere – that’s how I remember Newcastle United Football Club.

“From being here as a manager, spectator and pundit that’s how I know it, as a unique place to come. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up – it’s a ‘wow’ feeling. It’s a theatre.

“The performance of the team that day was the performance that you’d expect of a Newcastle United team. From the first whistle they were at it. They had the right attitude, they were putting in tackles, winning duels – and that is something the fans want to see.”

McClaren was impressed by Newcastle on the final day. He said: “They (the fans) want to see great football but they want to see a team trying and fighting. What you saw that day was a good performance. Newcastle were never going to lose that day and it was just one of those perfect games from start to finish where you say ‘That is Newcastle United Football club’.

“Now we’ve got to keep that attitude. My message to the players on the first day back will be to look at that game – those are standards you have to produce every week. You have to have that preparation and attitude every week, and then you’ll get everybody on your side. If we can get that – and that’s up to the players – then that’s a good place to start. We can add to that, but it’s a damned good start.”