Darius To Extend Albion Deal?

Last updated : 22 August 2003 By Rob Cooper
Darius Henderson
Darius Henderson
With his first team chances at Reading seemingly blocked, Royals forward Darius Henderson is hoping to extend his loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 21-year-old has already forged a deadly partnership with Leon Knight, aiding the Seagulls in their bid to fly straight back up to the First Division.

Darius, who has seen Knight make a loan move permanent, seems increasingly to believe that his future lies away from the Madejski Stadium.

The youngster is out of contract next summer and could, quite conceivably, make his loan move a season-long one before penning a permanent deal at the Withdean.

Speaking to thisisbrighton.co.uk the starlet admitted that right now he would like to extend his loan deal.

"I am just looking forward to getting games under my belt and if that means extending to another month here that would be good," he admitted.

"I think the only thing that is going to take me back to Reading is if someone gets injured, so I will be looking to extend if all goes well."

But when questioned about the possibility of a permanent move to the Brighton, Henderson came over all coy, admitting: "I don't want to say anything just yet but my contract is up at the end of the year and it's just nice to be wanted."

Darius Henderson will play at Oakwell tomorrow in the blue and white stripes of Brighton before facing up to Luton on Monday.

Henderson scored Brighton's first goal of the season as they defeated Oldham 3-1 on the season's opening day. The big frontman has since proved vastly influential in all of the Seagulls play.

Alan Pardew chose to let the youngster go out on loan so that he would gain some first team experience. With unimaginable competition for places at the Madejski it was a logical step.