Owusu Set For Reading

Last updated : 23 December 2003 By Rob Cooper
Lloyd Owusu
Owusu (left) will today sign for the Royals
The Royals have finally signed a striker two-month search for that elusive frontman.

Steve Coppell will today unveil Sheffield Wednesday striker Lloyd Owusu as his latest tranfer coup. The 27-year-old has signed for the club on a one month loan deal.

Coppell is sure that Owusu can will be a hit at the Madejski Stadium.

Speaking to the official site he said: "Lloyd is somebody I know well. I'm famiilar with him and he's got something to prove. I know that in the right circumstances he is someone who can do well for us."

Lloyd becomes the second player at the club to have played under Coppell previously. The big frontman played at Brentford alongisde Royals centre-back Ivar Ingimarsson under our Steve's command.

However, the fact that the former Slough Town centre-forward, who destroyed Second Division defences during his time with the Bees is only going to join the club on a loan basis suggests the club have other irons in the fire with regard to a long term replacement for Nicky Forster.

That said, it is likely that should Owusu's loan deal be a successful one Reading will make his transfer permanent.

The big frontman began training with the Royals this morning and is expected to play some part when the Dons visit the Madejski Stadium on Boxing Day.

Royals fans will remember that the Owusu terrorised Division Two defences two years ago. However, after a spate of injury problems he has struggled to find the net at his new club Sheffield Wednesday.

A link-up with Coppell, one of his former managers, will hopefully re-ignite his footballing career after a season and a half in the wilderness.

Whilst signing a striker can be nothing but good news, Owusu's pedigree is questionable considering some of his recent Sheffield Wednesday performances. Is he up to playing Division One football?

There is no doubt that Coppell would have preferred to bring in Leon McKenzie, who scored twice on his Norwich debut last weekend to send the Canaries to the top of the league.

However, whether he proves to be a good signing or not is irrelevant if the defence keeps leaking goals in the way it has been recently (six in the past two games).