Reid bids to kick-start career at West Brom

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND midfielder Steven Reid has joined Championship title hopefuls West Brom from Blackburn on a month’s loan.

Reid, who turns 29 on Wednesday, has spent much of the season on the fringes at Ewood Park but he goes straight into the Baggies squad which travels to QPR today.

Reid can play at right-back, right midfield or central midfield and actually spent a spell with the QPR earlier in the season. Injuries have limited Reid to only 44 appearances in the past four seasons at Rovers and he is looking to kick-start his career at high-flying Albion.

Said Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo: “Steven is an exciting player and I’m delighted to welcome him to the club. We’ve been looking to strengthen our squad for the final push and Steven certainly fits the bill. He’s a versatile player with loads of experience.

“We’ve had some great references about Steven so hopefully he’ll perform at the level we expect him to.”

Meanwhile Norwich have confirmed the loan signing of Preston striker Stephen Elliott until the end of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international has fallen down the pecking order at Deepdale since the arrival of Danny Welbeck on loan from Manchester United. Boss Paul Lambert said: “I just feel it’s vital we bring in somebody to boost the other lads, to keep them on their toes. He’s different from what we’ve got. He’ll chase lost causes and he’ll do great for us.”