Crewe calling for Church stay

Reading striker wants to stay until end of the season

By Laura Slatcher   Last updated: 19th January 2008

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Fleetwood: Crewe target

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Crewe Alexandra are hoping to keep on-loan youngster Simon Church until the end of the season.

The Reading striker is keen to extend his stay at the club after his loan deal expires after Saturday's trip to Carlisle.

The 19-year-old may regain his starting place against Carlisle after Ryan Lowe picked up a knee injury.

First-team coach Steve Holland is hopeful that the club can keep the services of Church and values his hard-working attitude.

"Simon hasn't sulked, has continued to work very hard and his attitude has been very good all along," he told the club's official website.

Frustrating

"I've spoken to Nicky Hammond at Reading about keeping Simon until the end of the season.

"We would like to do that and I think Simon would like to do that as well. It depends on Reading's situation."

Holland has also expressed his frustration at the club's efforts to sign Forest Green striker Stuart Fleetwood.

He added: "We have gone as far as we would with our bid for Stuart Fleetwood and the ball is very much in their court.

"We have made what we consider to be an excellent offer and were told that they were going to get back to us by Friday."

Loan interest

The Alex are also looking to strengthen their midfield with the loan signing of Burnley's Steve Jones.

The 31-year-old winger spent five years at Gresty Road between 2001 and 2006 and has made just two starts for the Championship outfit this season.

The Clarets' manager Owen Coyle confirmed Crewe's interest and is considering their offer.

"Crewe have made an approach to take Steve on loan and it is one we are thinking about over the weekend," said Coyle.