Ayr secured a vital 1-0 victory over Dundee United on Friday night, with Craig Moore’s first half strike sending Ayr, briefly, back to the top of the Championship table.
The big positive was Lawrence Shankland returning from injury, with the Honest Men going through a patchy run of form in his absence. Whilst Michael Moffat and Moore can do a job, it has became clear another forward is needed.
That man could be Reise Allassani. Coventry live have suggested the Coventry City player could be loaned to Ayr, as a thank you for allowing The Honest Men’s Michael Rose to sign a pre-contract at the Ricoh Arena.
Allassani was once thought of as the next Wilfired Zaha at Crystal Palace. After a horrific ACL injury, Allassani took the brave step of dropping down the leagues, and it has paid dividends for his career.
He signed with City in the summer, following an impressive spell at lower league side Dulwitch Hamlet. He could be the man to provide support to Shankland.
Allassani has fight and skill in abundance
The former England youth international was released by Palace in 2016, and was on the brink of signing for Sheffield Wednesday shortly after before suffering an injury.
The move fell through after the forward suffered an ACL injury, ruling him out of action for 12 months, and leaving him without a club.
Allassani bounced back from this, and signed with seventh-tier Dulwich Hamlet, making his debut in October 2017. He went on to score 17 goals in 31 appearances, inspiring Hamlet to win the Isthmian League Premier Play-off, securing their place in the National League.
Allassani signed for Coventry in the summer. The forward has seen his game time limited though, making just five appearance from the bench in League One.
In his cameo appearances though, he has shown his undeniable skill, pace and trickery on the ball. He’s just what Ayr need, a versatile front man who can score goals when given the opportunity.
Usually played as a second striker, the man once linked with Arsenal and Chelsea could be the perfect partner for Shankland. His ability on the ball combined with Shankland’s clinical edge could give the Ayr title challenge a welcome boost.
Allassani has had a long road to professional football. The Honest Men could give him his breakout season as a pro.