THREE is the magic number for York City firepower, but a four would provide maximum satisfaction.

That was the view of Minstermen boss Russ Wilcox after securing his first close-season capture of striker Vadaine Oliver.

As he continued the quest to strengthen his squad, the City chief declared how the arrival of Oliver on a two-year deal, with an option for a third year, had reinforced the potential of his current attack.

Oliver is now in the vanguard of City's front-line alongside Emile Sinclair and last season's leading marksman Jake Hyde prompting Wilcox to declare: "We have got three top-quality strikers in Vadaine, Emile and Jake and I am happy to go with that.

"I can see Vadaine being able to work off the other two. He is going to be complimentary to the other two, though he is much more than just a hitting-point.

"He can do all sorts of things and that will give us an ideal blend and more importantly provide us with that we were missing most last season - goals.

"We all know we did not score enough last season. We had loads of compliments about how strong our defence was. Mostly we were very solid at the back. But the problem was scoring goals. Vadaine coming will be a huge benefit to our attack."

Wilcox added how in a perfect world City would love to have fourth front-line strikers, and there could yet be a chance to achieve that.

"Ideally, I would like four, but we've got the three in now and that is a bit like my time at Scunthorpe when we had the three we wanted until up popped someone in the pre-season," he recalled.

That "someone" was Sam Winnall, who went on to make a striking impression with the Iron and Wilcox said there was always the chance of a repeat bonus for the Minstermen.

"When you are looking to strengthen your squad, May is always a time that favours the players," explained the City leader.

"But in the months of June and July the pendulum swings the other way in the favour of managers.

"Players come in for trials and just like Sam Winnall a little gem might pop up."

As the hunt for more potency increased with the arrival of 23-year-old Oliver, Wilcox was looking forward to his new man benefitting from the nous of first team coach Richard Cresswell.

Said Wilcox: "Vadaine ticks all the boxes for us especially with his scoring record, his character and his age.

"He knows he wants to make a bigger impact at a club like ours and with Richard Cresswell, an ex-Premier League striker on our coaching staff, then he can help Vadaine to develop even more."