August 31 2007

Selhurst Park

LEWIS GRABBAN has signed a five-month loan deal with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell.

The 19-year-old forward is keen to get much-needed first-team action under his belt after just one sub appearance this term.

He netted an injury-time winner when he came off the bench in the Eagles' 3-2 victory at West Brom in March - his first senior goal.

GRABBAN had a spell on loan at Oldham last term and Well manager Mark McGhee believes he can do a job for the Scottish outfit.

"I have known about him for a while," McGhee said. "I've been speaking to (Palace manager) Peter Taylor since the summer about him, trying to get him at the start of the season.

"Initially he had a bit of an injury and then Peter wanted to keep him and look at him.

"He has played a few games in their first team, but he is a young boy with potential.

"He is a big boy, quick, different again from the types of strikers we have here already."