Seagulls Swoop For Henderson

Last updated : 07 August 2003 By Rob Cooper
Darius Henderson
Darius Henderson
Brighton & Hove Albion look to have won the race to sign Darius Henderson on loan. The Seagulls have beaten off interest from Wycombe, Brentford, Colchester and First Division Walsall for the forward's signature.

Brighton boss Steve Coppell, a good friend of Alan Pardew's, revealed last night to the club's fan's forum that he has 'verbally agreed' a deal which will take the 21-year-old to the Withdean.

Whilst the deal will be for just one month, it is thought that should everything go according to plan, Henderson could spend longer than just one month with the Seagulls.

Pardew earlier admitted that the youngster was to go to either Brighton or Brentford as he is certain Darius will get the care and attention he needs under the watchful eye of Steve Coppell or Willy Downes.

"He will definitely go to one of those clubs as I know how they work. He will get the right coaching, he will will definitely play there, and most importantly he will be looked after," admitted Pards.

Meanwhile, at last night's Fan's Forum, Coppell admited that one club has made an enquiry about the availability of Danny Cullip, a player Reading have been strongly linked with in recent months.

Alan Pardew, who is in the hunt for a new defender, is said to have identified the player that he wants. However, he is not now expected to bring anyone else before the start of the new campaign on Saturday.

Cullip, who is alleged to have been in negotiations with Reading, could very possibly be the player Pardew is after. Indeed, the 26-year-old recently moved to Lower Earley.