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Glenn Pennyfather

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Pennyfather: Duo fit the bill

Chelmsford boss Glenn Pennyfather believes the signings of young Dagenham & Redbridge striker Alex Osborn on loan, as well as backup goalkeeper Alex Rossis, will add extra depth to the Clarets' squad in the next few crucial weeks.

Morgan and Rossis were named on the substitutes' bench for the first time in Saturday's 1-1 Blue Square Bet South draw at Welling United and Pennyfather, who is still scouring the market for further talent, is pleased to see them join.

Osborn has been with Thurrock for the first half of the campaign, but now links-up with City until 25th February.

Teenage striker Osborn played his youth football up to the age of 16 with local side Ridgeway Rovers - the club that launched David Beckham's career - then at Boca Youth in the Under 18s.

He impressed sufficiently to gain trials with West Ham United and Colchester United but he signed for Grays Athletic in 2009/10.

Alex worked his way through the Reserves to make his debut in the Conference National with the club as a 16-year old. He went on to appear in eleven games, scoring two goals, before a trial with Dagenham in May 2010 earned him the three-year contract he signed just days before the Daggers secured promotion to Football League One.

He returned to Grays to spend a season on loan for 2010/11 and got more regular football in the Ryman League, making 36 appearances and notching 17 goals, including five in a 9-0 win over Cheshunt. Osborn then started the current campaign at Ship Lane, lining-up twice against the Clarets over the festive period.

Custodian Rossis has experience in the Greek League with the Reserve Team of world renowned club Panathinaikos. He appeared in a handful of Chelmsford's warm-up games before the start of the season and was in the running to claim the Number 1 jersey until his requirement to cover a period of compulsory military service in Greece. His return has seen him link-up with the Clarets to compete with Stuart Searle.

Glenn said: "I've known about Alex [Osborn] for a while and tried to bring him here before he went on loan to Thurrock. He's quick and direct, with great feet and he'll add another dimension to our attack. Alex [Rossis] has been with us before in pre-season and he'll provide good cover. It'll also be useful for Stuart to have someone to work with in training as Alex is very professional with a good appetite for the game."

Meanwhile, Tosan Popo's loan spell with the Clarets has come to an end and the young Charlton Athletic winger has now made a new temporary move to the Spanish League.

19-year-old Popo appeared in a handful of games for City and he's looking forward to a spell with Segunda B team Clube Deportivo San Roque de Lepe.

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