BURNLEY boss Eddie Howe has swooped to seal the loan signing of Millwall striker Josh McQuoid.
The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international has joined the Clarets on a 93-day deal and is available for Saturday’s clash with Derby County at Turf Moor.
McQuoid previously played under Howe at Bournemouth before signing for Millwall in January 2010 following an initial loan spell at the New Den.
And his arrival at Turf Moor comes as a timely boost following the end of Sam Vokes’ loan spell from Wolves and with Martin Paterson and Junior Stanislas both facing time in the treatment room nursing hamstring injuries .
“From last week we have lost three players in Sam, Junior and Pato - three attacking options for us,” said Howe.
“We felt we needed to bring one in. I thought that was vitally important and one really that played a various number of positions.
“I think that was crucial to us, which is why Josh became so attractive.”
The Southampton-born striker graduated through the youth ranks at Bournemouth under Howe and went on to make 83 first-team appearances for the Cherries.
With Howe as manager, McQuoid scored a dozen goals in the first half of the 2010/11 season, including hat-tricks in successive games against Tranmere and Walsall in November 2010.
The same month he earned a debut call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for a friendly against Morocco in Belfast, where he came off the bench to earn Ireland’s penalty in a 1-1 draw as he won the first of his six caps, and was soon on the way into the Championship with Millwall.
McQuoid has since scored just once but Howe is looking to bring the best out of the young striker, who will wear squad number 19 at Turf Moor.
“He is a very talented young player who did really well for me at Bournemouth and scored a lot of goals and deservedly got a move to a higher level. I’m delighted to have him with us,” added Howe.
“He’s a versatile type of forward. He can play anywhere across the front line and he can play wide as well, which adds to his attractiveness for us.
“He’s quick, athletic and he’s got a good attitude as well, so I hope he will do well for us.”