David Cuffley Norwich City are poised to sign Reading striker David Mooney, 24, on an emergency loan until April 4.The 6ft 1in striker signed for the Royals in the summer of 2008 from Cork City, leaving as the country's top goalscorer midway through the Irish season.

David Cuffley

Norwich City are poised to sign Reading striker David Mooney, 24, on an emergency loan until April 4.

The 6ft 1in striker signed for the Royals in the summer of 2008 from Cork City, leaving as the country's top goalscorer midway through the Irish season.

Manager Bryan Gunn watched Rooney score a hat-trick for Reading reserves in a 6-2 win over Crystal Palace yesterday.

Said Gunn: “David will hopefully be bringing goals with him. I watched him in a reserve game yesterday afternoon, playing up front with Leroy Lita, where he scored a hat-trick and made two other goals in the game.

“He looks like he has a great appetite for the game and is hungry and eager to play Championship football, which has been difficult with Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Lita in contention with him at Reading. I also spoke to Leroy who gave him a glowing recommendation.”

Mooney began his career at Shamrock Rovers, moving to Longford Town in August 2005. In 2007 he won the FAI Player of the Year award and ended the season as the leading scorer in the FAI Premier Divison, despite Longford's relegation.

He signed for Cork City in January 2008 and his excellent form, with 15 goals in 22 League of Ireland appearances, earned him a move to English football with Steve Coppell bringing the striker to the Madejski Stadium last August.

The Irishman went out on loan to League One side Stockport County in January this year, where he made two starts before an ankle injury cut short his stay at Edgeley Park. He has made two substitute appearances for Reading, both in the Carling Cup.

Mooney, who has been capped at Irish under-23 level, has scored nine times in nine reserve games this season.

Reading's director of football, Nick Hammond, said: “Following his recent injury and his hat-trick for the reserves this week, this is a great opportunity for Dave to gain match fitness with a good club at a very competitive level.”