REPUBLIC of Ireland U19 international striker David Murphy has joined Cirencester Town on a short-term loan.

Murphy is a first year professional at Championship side Reading and last season had a short loan spell at Swindon Supermarine where he scored both goals in their 7-2 away defeat at last year’s champions Truro City.

He was back at Supermarine in July when scoring for Reading Reserves in their 3-0 pre-season friendly win and last week got the winner in a 1-0 win for the Republic of Ireland U19s against Serbia.

Murphy joins Town until September 15 and goes straight into the squad for today’s game at home to Oxford City.

It is a major boost to Town manager Brian Hughes who was short of attacking options following the close season injury to Ben Reardon.

His veteran striker Jody Bevan also picked up a knee injury in the 2-1 home defeat to Stourbridge on Tuesday night.