Convey: I Am Ready

Last updated : 11 August 2004 By Rob Cooper
Bobby Convey
Convey (above) is ready for action
Steve Coppell must throw raw £800,000 signing Bobby Convey into first team action this weekend as wing-man Glen Little faces two weeks on the sidelines.

Convey should sensationally make his first start in Reading colours on Satuday, just weeks after completing his mega-money move from the MLS.

Glen Little hobbled out of Reading's clash with West Ham last night with a hamstring injury, allowing exciting American international Convey to make his Royals debut.

After a flashy display, Reading boss Coppell is expected to hand Convey a starting role when the Royals travel to Bramall Lane on Saturday to play Sheffield United. And Convey has declared 'I am ready'.

Speaking after making his debut against West Ham last night he declared: "I think I'm ready to play ninety minutes.

"I need to get used to the pace of the game but the best way to do that is by playing. I'm always happy to play and I think my fitness will come back quickly."

Little will definitely miss Reading's game against Sheffield United this weekend, and is likely to be forced to sit out of the home game against Rotherham the following Saturday.

Coppell had hoped to break Convey into English football gently, but with Little forced out through injury, the Royals boss must thrust his young star into battle immediately.

Although the news looks bad for Little, physio Jon Fearn admitted the 28-year-old may still be fit in time to face Rotherham in eleven days time.

"If he heals very quickly he has an outside chance for the Rotherham game, but I wouldn't want to push him too hard for that one," said Fearn, speaking to the official site.

Meanwhile, midfield general James Harper may, along with Little. miss this weekend's game against the Blades.

The 23-year-old, who scored in last weekend's 3-2 win over Brighton, is suffering from a bruised hip and may not be able to play this weekend.

Fearn added: "Harps is suffering from a very sore hip, he's got a big bruise from a collision and we'll have to assess that later in the week."