Barker backs new boy to be a hit (From The Argus)

Barker backs new boy to be a hit

1:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport By Steve Hollis

Boss Richie Barker believes Jake Taylor is the perfect player to help Crawley cope with a hectic schedule during January.

Wales under-21 international Taylor joined on loan from Reading yesterday with Reds kicking off a run of eight games during March at Bury tomorrow.

Taylor has only made one appearance for the Royals – in a League Cup tie in August 2010 – but spent the majority of last season on loan at Exeter and has also had temporary spells at Cheltenham and Aldershot.

Barker said: “I’ve known about Jake since last season when Bury played against Exeter and he did extremely well. Steve Coppell (director of football) has seen him play a couple of times for Reading reserves and Taff (Anthony Williams, assistant manager) has worked with him a few times in the Wales youth teams.

“So it is safe to say we know plenty about what Jake can offer us and the biggest thing is his versatility. He can play anywhere across the midfield, behind the strikers or up front and when you have a small squad like we do that is very important.

“We are going to need everybody during March so Jake will have plenty of opportunities to be involved.”

Barker moved to sign Taylor due to doubts over the fitness of Sergio Torres and top scorer Billy Clarke for the trip to Gigg Lane. Torres missed the 2-1 defeat to Brentford on Tuesday due to sore ribs while Clarke was taken off at half-time with a hamstring injury.

Both will travel to Bury with the rest of the squad today and a decision on their fitness will be made in the morning.