Luke Rooney and Rob Kiernan join on one month loan deals
Brewers boss Gary Rowett has moved to boost his squad with the loan signings of Wigan Athletic central defender Rob Kiernan and Swindon Town winger Luke Rooney. The 21 year old pair both join on one month loan deals subject to completion of official paperwork.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 International Kiernan joins after Burton Albion lost central defenders Marcus Holness (hamstring) and Nathan Stanton (Achilles) to injury over the past two weeks, leaving Zander Diamond as the only senior centre back at the club. On loan Blackburn Rovers right back Anthony O’Connor deputised at centre back in the second half against Bradford City on Tuesday evening after Stanton was replaced at half time. Â
Rooney will also help to add to Rowett’s options on the wing with Chris Palmer (ankle) and Jimmy Phillips (foot) also both currently injured.Â
Kiernan began his career at Watford, spending time on loan at Kilmarnock, Yeovil Town, Bradford City and Wycombe Wanderers before leaving the Hornets and joining Wigan in June 2011. Kiernan finished last season on loan at League Two Accrington Stanley, making three appearances.
Rooney made 53 appearances at his first Club Gillingham before signing for Swindon in January 2012 where he has scored twice in 20 appearances.
Rowett said, ‘Rob is somebody who I have looked at over the last couple of years and I’ve seen him play 5 or 6 times and for me he has always been one I have earmarked for a potential loan signing. I asked about him in pre-season but Roberto Martinez felt that he was in his plans at the time. I chanced my arm the other day knowing that we needed a defender and they feel as if he’s ready to go and play Championship football. But as we have a month of games and we know him and have seen a lot of him they are happy for him to come out to us.
‘It’s been a case of constantly monitoring the situation at clubs and our Chief Scout Paul (Molesworth) has good links with Swindon. He came up with Luke’s name and I’d noticed that he’s been in and out of the side this year. You could see even at Gillingham has a young player he had undoubted quality and he made things happen. We’re fortunate that it’s fallen at the right time, a month of games will suit him and I’m sure he will be chomping at the bit to get going.’
Speaking after finalising the deal Rooney said, ‘As a footballer you want to play regularly and I’m no different. All I want to do is play first team football. I had a season in League Two last year and know all about it. Burton have had a great start and hopefully I can go there and help them continue that.’
‘I know Chris Palmer at Burton who I was at Gillingham with and he’s a great lad. The Gillingham game has caught the eye already. They’ve had a good start too under a new manager and were unlucky to not succeed last year.’