Southend have signed striker Roy O'Donovan on a month-long loan deal from Sunderland.
Striker joins Southend on loan
Southend have signed striker Roy O'Donovan on a month-long loan deal from Sunderland.
The Irish striker joins the Blues for an initial one-month spell with a view to extending his stay up to a maximum of 93 days.
O'Donovan became a Sunderland recruit having caught the eye during a prolific stint with Cork City for whom he scored 31 goals in 74 appearances.
Struggling to have such an impact at the Stadium of Light, he joins the Shrimpers in a bid to gain match experience after a short spell with Championship side Blackpool.
Southend boss Steve Tilson admits his delight in bringing the talented striker to Roots Hall having noticed his potential at Cork City.
Promise
"We looked at Roy two years ago when he was at Cork," he told the club's
official website.
"He did really well back then but at the time because he was grabbing headlines bigger clubs overtook us
"We have been trying to bring in a forward with pace and Roy fits the bill perfectly.
"He had a good goalscoring pedigree at Cork but it hasn't quite worked out at Sunderland for him.
"He will stretch teams which is what we require at the moment and he offers us something we don't have."
Return
Shrimpers defender Osei Sankofa, meanwhile, is hoping his injury problems are behind him after a promising return for the reserves on Tuesday.
Back from an Achilles problem, the 24-year-old scored in the 2-2 draw with Northampton and has set his sights on regaining his place in Tilson's side.
"It's been a frustrating time for me. I came back feeling really fit but then picked up the injury - probably doing too much too soon.
"I had to rest for a couple of weeks but I'm feeling fine again now and felt good in the reserves.
"I know I have to be patient in waiting for an opportunity in the first team, but I need to be ready for one when it does come my way."
