Knill targets reinforcements

Knill targets reinforcements

Published Feb. 27, 2013 1:15 p.m. ET

Cardiff's Robert Earnshaw could be set to join Major League Soccer club Toronto, Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay has confirmed.

The striker, 31, who spent a loan spell with Maccabi Tel Aviv last year, has not made an appearance for the Championship leaders and is to hold discussions with the Canadian club.

"He's going over to have a look around and a talk with Toronto about the possibility of a loan," Mackay told the South Wales Echo.

"Whether it happens or not is another matter, but we've given him the opportunity to do that. Rob needs his career to go on because this is football after all.

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"There's nothing been biting here for him and if he feels that a move there would be something beneficial to him, then I'm certainly not going to stand in his way. I'd never stand in a player's way when it comes to them getting the chance of playing football.

"But at the moment he's just talking to them so right now we will just await developments."

Earnshaw began his career with Cardiff, scoring 105 times in 163 starts, before spells with West Brom, Norwich, Derby and Nottingham Forest.

Rovers' 2-1 defeat to Rotherham last week was only their second loss on home soil in 2013 and was watched by more than 8500 supporters.

And the reaction to conceding both goals was a huge roar and a string of songs from the Rovers faithful, something the former Charlton winger was quick to praise.

"Their support has been brilliant," he said. "Their reaction has been brilliant to hear, especially once the opposition has scored, you don't often hear that.

"The lads really appreciate it. It is a big boost for us.

"It is important the fans buy into what we are doing, as well as the players and the manager. We are all in this together.

"There is a good atmosphere around the place and everyone is in good spirits."

Rovers are in 18th place in npower League Two, three points clear of the relegation zone, ahead of the visit of Gary Rowett's men.

The Gulls, without defender Aaron Downes who is suffering a hamstring injury, threw away a 1-0 lead as they lost 2-1 to Wycombe, a result that saw them slip to within one point of the League Two relegation zone.

After the final whistle the former Scunthorpe boss admitted he is keen to bring in some defensive cover and attacking options to Plainmoor.

He told the club's official website: "We obviously lost Downes and Angus MacDonald stepped in for a difficult game against some good players.

"I felt we needed some experience but couldn't get anybody in before the game. We will continue to look because it's important we have competition in that position.

"We also lost Manse (Lee Mansell) through illness and I think we need some game changers off the bench."

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