Sharp Comes In On Loan

26 September 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have finally confirmed, after months of speculation, the signing of 27 year old striker Billy Sharp from Southampton. With the transfer window closed the signing is initially on loan until January. Sharp is expected to come immediately into the team for Saturday's visit of Birmingham City to the Madejski Stadium in the Championship.

Sharp links back up with Reading boss Nigel Adkins, who was his manager at Southampton. Adkins signed Sharp for 1.8 millions pounds from Doncaster Rovers in January 2012 after the striker scored an impressive 40 league goals in 82 appearances at Rovers. His great run of form continued at Southampton as he continued to regularly find the back of the net as Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League. The following season was spent at Nottingham Forest, on loan, where he started with plenty of goals before a goal scoring drought hit him.

Sharp has failed to score in his last 12 games - a spell that stretches back to 2nd February 2013. He is also yet to play a competitive game this season. So, despite his excellent history, he will have plenty to prove as he arrives at Reading. His arrival follows Pogrebnyak scoring his first two goals of the season last weekend and Blackman hitting his second. Meanwhile, super-sub Adam Le Fondre is already up to four goals this term.

Suddenly the Royals appear to have a few more options up front. Combining that with a recent run of improved results and an excellent recent defensive record, and you could argue that things are looking up for Reading and they look well placed for a promotion push.

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