By Mark Sugar
March 22 2004

With days to go now until Thursday's transfer window,Reading manager Steve Coppell is now looking to make a couple more loan signing's in order to boost the Royals push for the Premiership.He hopes to secure the signing of Crystal Palace defender Darren Powell for a fee of £125,000.

Steve Coppell is looking to strengthen his squad before this Thursday's transfer deadline day. His Royals squad have been hit by a number of injuries recently including to 1st choice goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, club skipper Adie Williams, striker Nicky Forster and left back Nicky Shorey.

All 4 players won't be fit for a few weeks now, and now Coppell surely has to secure the signing of at least 1 defender. A bid in the region of £125,000 for Darren Powell was accepted back on the 24th February but the deal still hasn't been completed due to the fact that Powell is suffering from a hamstring injury and the Royals weren't prepared to take a risk on the former Brentford defender.

But getting players in has now proved a difficulty, with Premiership clubs now reluctant to loan players out due to Premiership commitments has clubs now look to secure the best possible league position. Only last season the major signing made by former boss Alan Pardew was the loan signing of Glen Little from Burnley.

Surely the priority for the Royals must be

• Versatile defender
• Striker   

With a lack of cover in defence at the moment with Nicky Shorey and Adie Williams out, Steve Coppell must find someone who can fill the gap. Obviously Darren Powell is the number 1 target but should he not sign before 5pm Thursday, Steve Coppell must pursue other players. With Nicky Shorey the only natural left back, he must need surely a back up player.

As for a striker well Lloyd Owusu serves the final game of his suspension this Saturday when the Royals are away to Coventry City, but a decision must be made on his future. Director of Football Nick Hammond has previously stated the Royals will not give in to Sheffield Wednesday's high demands, and should the Royals not take Owusu permanently then a striker would seem another high up on the list, with Shaun Goater and Dave Kitson the only fit forward's.

The next few days will tell us if Reading can really make a push for the Premiership. Should the Royals make any signing's, you'll hear about it here.