Monday 11 January 2021

UNITED AIMING TO REMAIN STREETS AHEAD WITH PALACE LOAN SIGNING

With experienced striker Danny Wright ruled out by the injury sustained in the Gulls' thumping win over Yeovil Town on Boxing Day, United boss Gary Johnson has moved to draft in Crystal Palace starlet Rob Street on loan as cover. 

Street, 18, who signed his first professional contract with the Eagles last summer, is a highly thought of at Selhurst Park. He has found the back of the net on a regular basis for Palace's Under-23 in the Premier League 2 in the 2020-21 campaign, including five goals in his last four appearances. 

Such is the regard is held in by the South London club that he has even been compared to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, who made his name with the Eagles between 1985 and 1991 after being plucked from non-league side Greenwich Borough. 

He was also part of a clutch of the club's young players who were invited to train with the Palace first team squad by former England manager Roy Hodgson earlier this season. 

It is believed that Hodgson will allow Street to remain at Plainmoor for the remainder of the campaign, as he receives what will be his first taste of full-time senior football. 

Footnote: Gary and Pete Johnson both have a connection with Crystal Palace through their uncle John Griffin, who passed away earlier this year. A legendary scout in the London football scene, Griffin was responsible for discovering Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Nigel Martyn who were key figures in the Palace side who reached the 1991 FA Cup final, where they were beaten by Manchester United after a replay. His father, Ron Johnson, was also the physio at Selhurst Park under Terry Venables.