Andresson is poised for a return to St James Park
EXETER City are expected to announce the return of goalkeeper Jokull Andresson to St James Park at some point today, after allowing Lewis Ward to head to League One side Portsmouth.
Ward is heading to Fratton Park as back-up to their number one custodian, Craig MacGillivray, as their regular second choice goalkeeper, Alex Bass, is injured.
The League One promotion hopefuls’ only other glovesman is rookie Duncan Turnbull, which is why they were keen to add a more experienced goalkeeper to cover for the loss of MacGillivray.
Pompey boss Kenny Jackett approached the Grecians to ask if they could take 23-year-old Ward on loan, to which City agreed, after they had agreed a loan deal with Reading for the 19-year-old Andresson.
“It was ironic that he played against us on Tuesday and we are working on a deal to bring him back,” Taylor said. “It has all been agreed with Portsmouth for Wardy to go one way and Jokull to come from Reading.
“You are always spinning plates in the transfer market and I think it is a good deal all round as we get Jokkul back and Wardy goes and gets an opportunity that he wanted to take
“It will be a loan deal until the end of the season, it was an emergency loan deal last time, but this will give us a bit of security until the end of the season.”
The Icelandic youth international joined City on an emergency loan earlier in the season and played nine games. He was on the losing side just once, conceding ten goals in those nine games, and then joined Morecambe on an emergency loan as recently as last week.
In that time, he played twice, keeping clean sheets in a 3-0 thrashing of Colchester United and then again when the Shrimps won 2-0 in Exeter on Tuesday night.
“He’s kept two clean sheets in his last two games – unfortunately one was against ourselves on Tuesday night – but we know what he brings,” Taylor added. “He is a great personality and he finds a way of keeping the ball out the back of the net.
“I am pleased that he has had that seven days at Morecambe and got a couple of games under his belt and, depending on timeframe, he has a chance of being in contention this weekend.
“He plays beyond his years and personality at any age and in any sport is absolutely key. He certainly has that in abundance and you need that, certainly as a goalkeeper which is a terrible position where you are constantly judged on what goes in the back of the net and what goes on around you.
“Personality will hold him in good stead for the future, not just in terms of our loan move, but whatever career he has and I think he will have a top class career.
“I think we all saw from that dozen or so loan games that he had with us earlier in the season not just how he adapted to our style of play, but the rigours of League Two football and we will expect the same when he comes back to us.”
Top of Taylor’s priority list remains a striker, though. The City chief is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for additional firepower, but he has drawn a blank in his chase so far.
This week, rumours have been rife that City are lining up a move for Gillingham’s John Akinde, who notched in the Gills’ 2-2 draw with Rochdale last weekend, and Shrewsbury striker Jason Cummings, but there is sure to be plenty of interest from other clubs in both players.
“As far as I am aware, neither are available,” Taylor said. “John Akinde scored at the weekend for Gillingham, I think I am right in saying, and he is a player we know well at this level. But he is fit and well and firing for Gillingham.
“I am not aware of anything with the other player, but it seems every manager you speak to – and every team - is after the same thing, ie players with firepower and a certain type of firepower as well.
“We know what a slog it is going to be and what a slog it is at the moment and you need a bit of physicality at the top end of the pitch, so we are working towards it. But if I don’t bring anyone in, then we have the likes of Ryan (Bowman), Ben (Seymour), MJ (Matt Jay) and Fish (Alex Fisher) waiting in the wings for an opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Matt Jay, Josh Key, Harry Kite and Cheick Diabate have all penned new deals in recent weeks, committing their long term future to the club.