FACING a growing injury crisis, Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws has moved to bolster his line-up by bringing in right sided full-back Tony McMahon from Middlesbrough on loan.
The promising 22 year old arrives on an initial one month deal with the aim of tightening up a defensive unit that has had a mixed start to the season.
Wednesday's problems worsened last weekend when Richard Hinds was stretchered off with a fractu
red leg in the 4-1 defeat at Wolves and Laws was clearly delighted to capture a player of McMahon's quality.
"Tony is a player that ticks all the right boxes. He's played in Middlesbrough's first team and is very highly valued by Gareth Southgate," he said.
"Tony has played in Europe, he's got a great CV and I'm delighted to bring him to Sheffield Wednesday."
McMahon was an FA Youth Cup winner and has made 25 appearances in both the Premier League and UEFA Cup for the Teesiders since making his debut against Manchester United back in 2004, and last season spent a loan spell at fellow Championship side Blackpool.
Laws added,"Tony has played in some big games for Middlesbrough and done really well.
"He's come through the ranks at Middlesbrough so he is decent quality.
"I played the game at right back for many years so know what I am looking for".
Following the sale of Luke Young to Aston Villa on the eve of the season, 22- year-old McMahon was hoping to force his way into the Middlesbrough line-up, but with Justin Hoyte arriving this week from Arsenal, McMahon did not take much persuading to make the move, saying, "I am delighted to be here.
I need games and this is a great place to get them."
The Owl's injury woes were further exacerbated this week with the news the Francis Jeffers has had a further setback in his bid to return to the first team action.
The 27-year-old striker has now picked up a groin strain while trying to recover from a serious ankle injury that has kept him out of contention since January. "His ankle is fine, it is not a problem," said manager Brian Laws.
"We are desperate to get him fit again but he has felt a twinge in his groin and we will monitor it."
Meanwhile, Geoff Sheard has made light of reports that he suffered abuse from some Wednesday fans at Molineux last Saturday, impatient at the speed in which negotiations to buy the club are moving.
The incident is understood to have involved only a few supporters, who were urging him to complete the deal.
Sheard, playing down the incident, said: "I'm going to need a skin like a rhino anyway!" but declined to comment further on the current takeover situation.
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