Pace and power are the two ingredients loan striker Nicholas Bignall hopes to add to the Cheltenham Town mix during his stay at Whaddon Road.

The 18-year-old Reading man boosts boss Martin Allen's striking options and the youngster jumped at the chance to gain experience.

"My first few days here have been good and I have got to know the lads and settled in okay," he said.

"When I heard Cheltenham were interested in me I was delighted and jumped at the chance to come down here.

"It is a chance for me to make an impact and play more games to get more league experience."

Bignall had top-scored for the Royals' Under-18 side for the past two seasons, with 11 and then nine goals and had a spell at Northampton earlier this season.

He started one game and made four substitute appearances, the highlight being the winning goal against Leeds United in a 2-1 win.

"That was good experience and I was grateful for the chance to play some games," he said.

"League One is a different game to what I am used to, it is more physical and there is more hard graft but I am looking forward to it.

"If it goes well for me here, I would definitely be looking to extend my stay here.

"I know Johnny Hayes and Lloyd Owusu from Reading so that has helped me settle in, and Martin Allen grew up in the same part of Reading as I live."

Bignall can play wide or as a central striker, and said: "I prefer to play up front and look to get a goal or two.

"I think I can bring pace and power to the team and I look to get behind defenders."

With Kevin Doyle, Noel and Stephen Hunt and Leroy Lita on the books at the Madejski Stadium, Bignall knows his chances are limited.

"They are all good pros and in day-to-day training I learn a lot from them," he said.

"I have always been an Arsenal fan and I idolise Thierry Henry, and if I could play like anyone I would love to play like him."

Initial impressions of Bignall have been favourable, with acting assistant manager John Brough saying: "He looks a very strong boy.

"I haven't seen him play but on the first showing in training he looks like he will be an effective player for us as we have a lot of games coming up."