Proschwitz can hit ground running for us, says Wilson

The German forward, well down the pecking order at parent club Hull City, has joined for the rest of the season, and Wilson paid tribute to the Tigers for helping to facilitate the loan deal.

The 6ft 4ins forward, who has been used sparingly by Steve Bruce this season after a difficult 18 months in East Yorkshire during which he has failed to pin down a regular starting spot, is set to make his bow in the Reds’ friendly against Dundalk this evening.

Proschwitz had also been linked with Doncaster Rovers and Wolves this transfer window.

Wilson said: “Nick seems very positive and he is not fazed by the position we find ourselves in. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; he feels very confident he can get the goals that will help us out.”

“I think Nick and Chris (O’Grady) will be able to feed off each other quite well. He is a player who does like to score, he can get into the box well and is a good finisher.

“His experience is something that will help us now rather than getting a younger player in, and he is someone who will be able to hit the ground running.

“Hull have been fantastic with us in getting this deal done and I can only say thank you to them for that and hopefully a big thank you at the end of the season.

“It can be difficult identifying the right players and then getting them into your club and it’s not easy to entice someone to the club, particularly when you’re bottom of the league like we are.”

The Reds, meanwhile, are firmly denying reports linking former Swindon Town chairman Jed McCrory with a takeover bid at Oakwell, insisting they are unaware of any such offer.

The Evesham-based businessman is reportedly part of a group who have tabled a £5m bid to purchase the struggling Championship club, with speculation suggesting owner Patrick Cryne is ready to sell up.

But a Barnsley spokesperson stressed to the Yorkshire Post last night that they are in the dark over any bid with Cryne, club staff and management fully committed to keeping the Reds in the division.

The club source added that they have not been contacted by McCrory.

McCrory arrived at Swindon last February in a takeover which saw his Seebeck 87 consortium buy 99 per cent of the Robins.

The former Banbury United owner helped reduce the footballing budget at the Wiltshire club and oversaw significant reductions in the administrative costs to help put the club back on an even financial keel and save them from going out of business.

He left the club at the start of December following a takeover of the Robins by Lee Power.

Just before Christmas, McCrory was linked with a takeover at Skrill Premier outfit Kidderminster, only for Aggborough chairman Mark Serrell to end speculation by saying he had no plans to sell.