Kwesi Appiah delighted with Reading move

Kwesi Appiah has revealed that he is looking forward to returning to a new start at Reading having moved to the Madejski Stadium on loan from Crystal Palace.

“Looking forward to my loan spell with Reading,” the Ghana international began, “thanks for all the welcoming messages.”

The Black Star had earlier expressed his desire to play regular first-team football before the end of the season, but having been left out of Palace’s Premier League squad, it was imperative he sought a temporary switch away from Selhurst Park.

Appiah joins a Reading side without too much to play for in the Championship; the Royals sit 23 points off the play-offs, and nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Steve Clarke’s side do, however, have the prospect of a Wembley FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal to look forward to next month.

The former West Bromwich Albion head coach and Chelsea assistant manager explained the rationale behind a move for the former Cambridge United man.

“When I looked at our bench during the game at Charlton it was obvious that without [Simon] Cox and Yakubu we were light on attacking options,” the coach began, speaking to the club’s official website.

“When the opportunity arose to bring Kwesi here until the end of the season I felt it was the right thing to do.

“Kwesi is a striker with different attributes to those already at the club. He hasn’t had too many opportunities since returning to Palace after a successful African Cup of Nations tournament with Ghana and we are hopeful that he will enhance his growing reputation while helping us to finish the season positively.”

Appiah is currently with the Black Stars squad and will be looking to earn some game time in the friendlies against Senegal and Mali over the coming week.