Bristol Rovers are expected to be without another striker for the next couple of games at least after Gatlin O’Donkor suffered a suspected hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Peterborough United last time out.
The Gas have already lost Promise Omochere to a hamstring tear for the forseeable future and could find themselves short up top with goals already proving hard to come by for the majority of this season.
Thankfully, amid widespread calls from Gasheads to bring in at least one striker in the January transfer window, Rovers were able to add to their attacking ranks with the loan signing of 19-year-old Michael Reindorf from Cardiff City on deadline day last week.
To suggest that the teenager is going to come in and score double digits in the final three months of the season would be farfetched and unnecessary pressure to put on his shoulders. However, despite making just four first team appearances for the Bluebirds, Reindorf arrives in BS7 with strong reviews after a pretty prolific season for their under-21s since his arrival from Norwich City last summer.
The striker did actually play against the Gas back in August, coming off the bench in Cardiff’s 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup first round and is expected to make his debut in some capacity when Rovers host Stockport County in League One tomorrow night.
Admittedly, there is limited information out there in the public eye on Reindorf and what the Gas can expect from the teenage prospect. Therefore, we spoke to Cardiff City reporter at our sister title Wales OnlineGlen Williams to get some insight on the new Rovers loanee and what can be expected of him during his time in blue-and-white quarters…
How did Michael Reindorf’s move to Cardiff last summer initially come about?
Cardiff were keen on adding some experience to their under-21s and thought Reindorf fitted the bill. While his career to that point was pretty unremarkable, the fact he had gone on a senior loan to Kettering made him a more attractive proposition – particularly as he was a free agent due to his contract expiring at Norwich.
Has it been a surprise that he’s only made four appearances for the first team so far this season?
A little bit, perhaps, although that leap from junior football is big one. But Cardiff have been really short on strikers so some fans were calling for him to play before Christmas when there was a real striker shortage. Callum Robinson was injured while Kion Etete and Isaak Davies have been out all season and Wilfried Kanga, who was on loan from Hertha BSC, had endured a shocking season. He made the bench a few times, and played a couple of cup matches, but maybe should have seen more minutes in the Championship.
How highly rated is he at Cardiff amongst the club’s other young prospects?
He has definitely been the flavour of the month – or season – this season. He is one of the more highly rated players, however Cian Ashford has been the breakout star from the academy this season. There is a clutch of players just on the fringe of the first team – Reindorf, Luey Giles, Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio – and he is certainly in the mix. But he is still relatively new to the club, so there’s still lots to find out about him.
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What sort of striker is he and what would you say are his strengths and weaknesses, admittedly having not seen much of him?
What caught my eye when he made his senior debut was his work rate. He harried and pressed like a Rottweiler and was unafraid to run at defenders when the ball was played to him. That fearlessness is a big positive and I hope it brings him goals and he doesn’t lose that. He’s pretty physical for a 19-year-old, but you can tell that when he’s got the ball at his feet and space in front of him, that’s when he’s most comfortable. Some of his goals at under-21s level have been really impressive this season.
It sounded as though there was strong League Two interest to take him on loan. Was it a surprise to see him end up at a League One club?
It was definitely a surprise. I had him earmarked for a League Two loan all day loan. Joel Colwill, for example, is thought of a much more complete prospect and he was shipped out to the fourth tier for the first half of the season. But in January, clubs clamour for strikers and maybe that’s worked in his favour. As long as he gets regular minutes, then it’s the right decision, otherwise a League Two club with regular game time might have been the better option.