Birkirkara will step up their search for a new foreign player in the coming weeks after they decided to part company with Jaroslav Marx, the Czech Republic midfielder.

Insiders told The Times that the Birkirkara committee have voted against renewing Marx's contract and will instead be looking to add a powerful striker to their squad.

Marx, who has been a transfer target for Marsaxlokk for a while, joined Birkirkara before the start of last season after leaving a good impression during a trial.

His future with Birkirkara never looked assured as in January, the club announced that they would be releasing him but changed their mind after Marx turned in a series of influential performances.

His displays of late have not been as good as midway through the season and that may have been a factor behind Birkirkara's decision not to offer him a new contract.

Moreover, Birkirkara appear well stocked with midfielders, especially after George Mallia signed a new four-year deal.

Skipper Antoine Zahra has yet to make his comeback from the cruciate operation he underwent last season. Next week, Zahra is expected to travel to Germany to have further tests on his knee.

Romanian sweeper Lucian Dronca and Sunday Eboh, the Nigerian defender who is still recovering from a cruciate operation, have both been confirmed for next season.