Royals complete double transfer swoop!

By Mark Sugar
March 23 2004

Reading have completed the loan-signing of Dean Gordon from Coventry City until the end of the season.Also signing for the Royals is Kelvin Jack who also signs until the end of the season so Steve Coppell can have a closer look at the Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper.

Hopefully this won't be the last of the transfer activities involving Reading Football Club over the next 2 days but if not then at least we can say Steve Coppell has made an effort to tidy over the Royals squad. Having secured the loan signing of Coventry City left back Dean Gordon will add much depth to a squad already hit by a number of injuries, with the list rising again today with Steve Brown suffering again with a swollen knee. Also securing Kelvin Jack until the end of the season will give Steve Coppell a closer look at him to see if he is worth a permanent contract.

Gordon, 31 years old signs from Coventry. Dean is a left back who can play left midfield. He isn't eligible to play in the game against Coventry City on Saturday, but is in line to make his Royals debut against West Ham United on the 3rd April should Nicky Shorey not recover from a foot infection which has left him in hospital for a week now. Gordon has played for 4 previous clubs and they are Coventry City, Cardiff City, Middlesbrough and Steve Coppell's former side Crystal Palace. He has played a total of 361 games with him netting 30 times. He has played with left winger John Salako and Ricky Newman in their days at Crystal Palace. Dean will take the squad number 6 shirt, which was previously worn by John Mackie, now of Leyton Orient.

Kelvin Jack signs after being on trial with the club for 2 weeks now. He is a Trinidad and Tobago international. He is a 6ft 4 goalkeeper who weighs 220 pounds. His last club was CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh. Jack has been unable to start any reserve games for the Royals because he was on a trial basis which meant he couldn't play any times unless he signed permanently which he has done. With Marcus Hahnemann out injured with a medial knee ligament injury, Jack will compete with Jamie Young for the back up spot on the goalkeeper's bench. Jack will take the number 22 shirt, which was previously worn by Nathan Tyson, now of Wycombe Wanderers.

With 2 signing's secure, Coppell will now be looking to finish the Darren Powell transfer which has dragged on for over a month now. The Crystal Palace defender has had a hamstring injury which has meant he has been unable to complete a full medical. Another player whose future must be decided is Sheffield Wednesday striker Lloyd Owusu. He will return to Sheffield after the West Ham United game unless a deal can be thrashed out before 5pm Thursday. He is suspended for the trip to Coventry on Saturday.

We wish Dean and Kelvin every success at Reading FC! 

More RFC News

Greame Murty has been called up to the Scotland squad for the International friendly with Romania next week taking place at Hampden Park on Wednesday, 31st March. This match is being shown live on Sky Sports. Shaun Goater has been called up for International duty with Bermuda. Ivar Ingimarrson has been called up to the Iceland squad as well completing a good selection of Royals stars away. Adie Williams would have been called up to the Wales squad had he not just undergo surgery on a knee injury while Marcus Hahnemann was also provisionally called up to the USA squad.

Steve Brown is a major doubt for the clash with Coventry City because of a swollen knee again. Should he not be fit Greame Murty could be forced to play centre back with Andy Hughes moving back to right back with Scott Murray earning a recall.