Published: Friday, 27th November, 2009 7:00am

Royals shop at Iceland

by Anthony Smith

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READING hope to sign Iceland striker Gunnar Thorvaldsson in January and are rumoured to be tracking Doncaster Rovers star Brian Stock.

Thorvaldsson left Royals yesterday (Thursday) after an impressive week's trial which saw him score twice for the reserves against Bristol Rovers.

Royals cannot signs him now due to international transfer restrictions so they are hoping to tie up a permanent deal in January with Danish top-division outfit Esbjerg FB.

Thorvaldsson has been a long-term target for the Royals after being spotted by chief scout Brian McDermott.

He would become the fourth Icelandic player in Royals first-team squad after skipper Ivar Ingimarsson, Brynjar Gunnarsson and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed: "Gunnar is a boy we've looked at over the last couple of weeks. He's a `link striker' and a highly rated player.

"As a younger player he got a big move to Germany and has since gone back to Denmark. It's something both clubs are looking at now."

Thorvaldsson was Sweden's golden boot winner in 2005 after cracking 16 goals for Halmstads BK and was part of their UEFA Cup campaign.

That led to a move to German side Hannover 96 in March 2006 but he was hampered by injuries and managed only seven games without scoring.

He was eventually loaned to Vålerenga and then signed for Esbjerg, where his first-team opportunities have been limited.

Thorvaldsson has also netted five times in 20 internationals for Iceland and Rodgers added: "He's a good player. He scored two goals in our game on Tuesday and has shown up well in training.

"He's a clever footballer who can play inbetween the lines and link the game. He's technically strong and mature at 27.

"We'll look and see what we can do but he's not available until January anyway. He has gone back to his club and we will see if we can agree a deal in the next few weeks."

And another player who could be arriving in the New Year is Doncaster's midfield playmaker Stock, with reports suggesting Rodgers is lining up a massive £1.75 million bid.

Wales international Stock was a target for Wolves in the summer and Rodgers refused to comment on the rumours, though he is clearly admires the 27-year-old.

"He's a very good player, he's an outstanding talent," stated Rodgers. "He's done very well for Sean O'Driscoll at Doncaster and become a Welsh international.

"If you're asking me is he our type of player then yes, he's a footballer who understands the game.

"But he a player at another club and I'm not in the business of talking about other clubs' players."

Rodgers hoped to bring in a couple of loan signings before Thursday's midnight deadline but was knocked back by two different clubs.

And he denied any interest in Chelsea's 18-year-old Italian striker Fabio Borini.

"I never made an enquiry about him," he insisted. "But Frank Arnesen (Chelsea director of football) knows when those players need to go out there is a place for them to come here."

Royals have received a boost ahead of Saturday's trip to Derby County with strikers Shane Long and Simon Church plus winger Jimmy Kebe all fit.

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