LOAN signing Frederic Piquionne says he is ready to scrap to keep Doncaster Rovers in the Championship.
Piquionne completed his protracted move from West Ham to Doncaster this morning in time to feature in tonight’s crucial clash with fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
And the 33-year-old has declared himself ready to be thrown straight into Rovers’ relegation battle.
Piquionne said: “I have been in involved in scraps like that before at some of my previous clubs and I’m ready.
“I hope to score goals and do my best for the club.
“In my head I’m a warrior and I will fight to keep Doncaster in the Championship.”
Rovers tried to signed the former Saint-Etienne, Monaco and Portsmouth striker a month ago but were frustrated in their attempts to land him - amid reported interest from Sunderland and Fulham.
Boss Dean Saunders said: “He’s a player we’ve been after for a while and it’s a big signing for us.
“Obviously Willie McKay has been involved and it’s helped that he is good friends with Lamine Diatta.
“I want to thank West Ham as well for helping us with the wages otherwise we would never have been able to afford to sign him.”
Piquionne is available for tonight but a clause in the deal means he will not be able to play at against his parent club West Ham on Saturday.
The 6’2’’ striker has been in good goalscoring form for West Ham’s reserves after being pushed down the pecking order at Upton Park following the arrivals of Ricardo Vaz Te, Nicky Maynard and Ravel Morrison.
He has joined Rovers on an initial one-month loan with a view of extending it until the end of the season.