Lee Clark is unlikely to dip into the loan market again for another striker after Leroy Lita's return to Swansea City.

Lita's temporary switch was due to run until December 15, but it was cut short due to a thigh injury.

The loan window closes on November 22 but Clark, is not planning on making any raids under the financial parameters at St Andrew's.

"I think we're all acutely aware of how careful we have to be spending our money and making sure it's not only the right quality of player and right character who will fit in," said the manager.

"We are scouring around and seeing what's about. But I think the easiest way of putting it is this: how many clubs are going to let out their top strikers at this moment in time?

"We have three senior ones at the club in Marlon King, Nikola Zigic and Peter Lovenkrands.

"Hopefully Akwasi Asante won't be too far away either, in the next couple of weeks or so. Nathan Redmond can play that role, as well. So there is competition and I'm hoping that all these lads can follow the example of Marlon, who is scoring goals and playing very, very well."

Asante tore his hamstring playing for Blues' under-21 development squad in October, and Clark also has Jake Jervis as a possible option.

His loan at Tranmere Rovers is due to finish at the end of the week. Adam Rooney will remain at Swindon Town for the season, however.

His was a loan swap, involving Paul Caddis, who is making good progress after surgery on a dislocated shoulder. Clark is a big fan of the right-back and although the original prognosis was that Caddis would be out until mid to late December, he could now be back around the end of this month.

Clark admits that, in general, he is prepared to dip into the Academy more and more.

"I want to give the kids a chance, I've been impressed more and more by the week with them.

"I think there are going to be places for them, if they keep performing."

Earlier this week Clark ran the rule over former Holland international wideman Romeo Castelen in the under-21 development side's 2-1 defeat at Coventry City.

The 29-year-old, who is a free agent after leaving Hamburg in the summer, scored.

He can play on either flank, but predominantly the right, and also off the front.

"He's got a good pedigree," said Clark. "He's played for some good clubs and has been capped ten times. He's had a couple of injuries in his career recently so we were aware not to push him through the whole 90 minutes.

"We will now get him involved for a lot longer on the training ground and then see how things go."

The former Den Haag and Feyenoord player was given less than an hour for Richard Beale's side.

"He scored a great goal," said Clark. "He's obviously got ability."