Sears seals Iron loan

West Ham youngster Freddie Sears has completed a one-month loan switch to Scunthorpe United.

The 20-year-old forward has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Upton Park under Avram Grant, and has opted to move to the Championship club to get some playing time under his belt.

Sears, a product of the Hammers youth academy, had spells on loan at Crystal Palace and Coventry City last season, although he failed to score for either the Eagles or the Sky Blues.

He now has the chance to impress at Glanford Park, and admits he did not have to think twice about making the switch.

“It feels good to be here. I got a phone call on Sunday night saying that Scunthorpe wanted to take me,” he told the club’s official website.

“As soon as I heard they were interested I wanted to come down and get going really.

“The Championship is a good league to be in, I’m just looking forward to starting my time with Scunthorpe.”
Preston debut

Sears could make his debut for the Iron against Preston at Deepdale on Tuesday, and he is eager to get going.

“I spoke to the manager on Monday and he said he wants to involve me at Preston, so I don’t know whether I’ll be in the team or not,” he added.

“It will be a quick debut but it will be good to start playing football really.”

Ian Baraclough’s men go to North End on the back of a six-match winless streak and the Scunthorpe boss is hoping Sears can help turn around their recent slump.

“He’s a lad who first came to our attention a few years ago when he burst on to the scene with West Ham,” Baraclough said.

“We were presented with the chance to bring him in and we’re delighted to have him on board. He’s come through the ranks and scored a goal on his debut for West Ham.”