Halford ready to fill Kightly gap

Wolves’ new boy Greg Halford has vowed to make the most of Michael Kightly’s absence by gatecrashing Mick McCarthy’s Premier League starting line-up.

The £2million summer signing from Sunderland is set to replace Kightly, after the winger was ruled out for the start of the season as he makes his way back from a broken foot and hip injury.

Versatile Halford believes he can plug the gap, starting with tomorrow’s friendly at Doncaster.

The 24-year-old said: “Kightly is going to be out for the start of the season, so it gives me an opportunity and hopefully I’ll prove myself.

“I’ve been brought here as a right midfielder and I see myself playing there more often than not.

I'll save everyone the trouble... Halford is listed as a middie, not a defender, this time around.

Black Cats Land Halford

Barclays Premiership newcomers Sunderland have made their first summer signing with the capture of Reading defender Greg Halford.



It is understood the 22-year-old full-back has signed for the Black Cats after undergoing a medical.



The club are expected to confirm the transfer, which comes just five months after the Chelmsford-born player joined the Royals from Colchester, later on Monday.

Halford was a January buy for Steve Coppell, but he could never displace either Murty or De La Cruz in the starting XI. Big things were promised, but Coppell seemed to be bringing him along slowly. I'm surprised that Reading would sell him as Murty isn't getting younger. But perhaps they see something in De La Cruz, or Sunderland came up with more money than they could turn down. Roy Keane needed a new right back after ManU defender Johhny Evans returned to the mother ship.

If Halford is as good as promised, and that is now a question after Reading sells him, then he could turn out to be value for money come next season.

UPDATE:  Here's the other piece to this puzzle: De La Cruz agrees new Royals deal