Rodgers won't rush to sign striker

Anthony Smith • Published 5 Nov 2009 12:00 0 Comments

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BRENDAN Rodgers knows precisely the kind of striker he needs to increase Reading's threat up front.

But the Royals' boss insists his search is 'on the backburner' for now despite losing Noel Hunt possibly for the rest of the season.

Rodgers has only three fit strikers to choose from in Grzegorz Rasiak, Simon Church and Shane Long. Dave Mooney and Nicholas Bignall are on loan at Charlton and Stockport County but neither is in serious first-team contention.

There were rumours Rodgers wanted to bring former Royal Simon Cox back to he Madejski Stadium on loan but the Tilehurst-born youngster is doing well for high-flying West Bromwich Albion.

Rodgers, whose side host Ipswich Town on Saturday, admitted: "I'm pleased with the general outlook of the squad but I would still like to add to it, as every manager would.

"We're getting a good balance to the team but up front is still an area I think about.

"I would definitely be interested in a strikers who could come in and help those that I've already got, but they would have to be the right 'type.'

"So what I'm looking for is somebody who can go past people and take defenders out of the game in a central area. If we can identify a striker like that then maybe I will be interested, but we're in no rush. It's on the back-burner."

Goal-shy Reading's alarming dip in home form - they have not won at the Madejski Stadium in 15 Championship games - can be directly linked to their problems up front.

This season they have scored just twice in seven league matches and fired blanks in five of those. That has brought them three draws and four defeats and they are the only side in the Championship not to have won at home.

But their struggles go all the way back to January when they last won in front of their own fans, a 1-0 victory over Wolves.

Since then, the Royals have seen three strikers leave in Kevin Doyle, Leroy Lita and on-loan old-boy Dave Kitson as the squad underwent a radical shake-up over the summer.

Rodgers, who is certain to bring in reinforcements should they suffer another injury up front, added: "A lot of players have left and Kevin Doyle was such an important player, the kind who cannot be replaced very easily.

"We still have quality strikers here. Grzegorz Rasiak is a big target man and Simon Church is a terrific, clever young talent who makes off-the-shoulder movements.

"But this is his first proper season starting games in the Championship and he's still learning.

"Shane Long also has good qualities but he's been an impact players for a number of years.

"I'm still weighing things up at the moment and, like always, there are finances to consider as well."

Meanwhile, Hunt is facing a lengthy battle to recover from surgery to repair his ruptured knee tendons.

"We went to London to see a specialist and he said it could end my career, or I could be back in nine months," explained the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland star.

"He said 'don't hold your breath' but if I'm not fit I wouldn't be doing myself or the team any favours. Having them carry me doesn't help, so it had to be done."

And he added: "I'm not supposed to be back for a few weeks, but a couple of days after the operation I was back in the gym.

"There's a weight I want to get to and a certain body fat level. It is a bit ridiculous to be honest, but with a lot of hard work it can be done and will help me become faster and stronger when I come back."

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