Fresh from completing the capture of Houston forward Nate Jaqua, Altach manager Heinz Fuchsbichler has declared the striker one of the key elements in his midseason survival plans.

The 26-year old joins the Austrian Bundesliga side for the remainder of the season as they sit eighth in the 10-team table, three points clear of bottom feeders Kärnten, who recently signed Dynamo teammate Joseph Ngwenya. Fuchsbichler says he could easily be compelled to extend the contract if satisfied with Jaqua's play.

"There is no option," the coach told American Soccer Daily. "But if everything goes as we hope, we will try to see that he plays for us next season also."

Jaqua joins the club known as Cashpoint due to their sponsorship with the Austrian betting outfit having scored 28 MLS goals in five MLS seasons, including six for the champion Dynamo in 2007.

Altach have only scored 24 times in 23 games, the third lowest total in the league, and Fuchsbichler is gambling that the Oregon native will pay off in goals as they attempt to climb out of the relegation fray.

"We have a lot of injured strikers, and only two goals from our strikers this season," said the coach, who wants Jaqua to come in and nail down the starting job. "Nate is one of the guys we think can help the situation."