Royals boss to invest in loan market

Reading manager Brian McDermott has said he wants to bring in ‘Premier League’ quality players over the January window, hinting at possible loan moves.

The former Slough Town boss hopes to spend wisely in January, with the Royals currently camped in the relegation zone, four points off safety. McDermott has openly admitted he hasn’t got ‘millions’ to spend in the January period, but hopes to dip his toes into the loan market to bring in some much needed experience.

Speaking to Sky Sports, McDermott said: ‘We need players who have played at this level and know the league. If we can get one or two players who know the league off by heart it’s good because they can hit the ground running. We have two or three targets and if the budget’s there, it’s there and we have to wait.’

‘I’m involved in that decision-making process, but it comes down to finances. There could be a loan, but I only like to sign loan players that we might actually buy permanently. I’ve got my eye on a couple of players, but we’re still a way away. January is never an easy window to deal in.’

The rumour of Andrei Arshavin has being doing the rounds for a number of weeks and months, but would you argue he knows this league inside and out? I don’t think so. We have heard some whispers of a possible deal for Stoke defender Matthew Upson, but again, this is completely unconfirmed and not necessarily true.