Reading could secure a major boost ahead of Wednesday's visit of Sunderland, as they are nearing a deal for former Newcastle, Liverpool and England forward Andy Carroll to re-join the club.
Carroll, 33, has been a free agent since leaving West Brom in the summer and was recently linked with a move to Premier League side Wolves after Raul Jimenez was struck down with a long term injury.
But after Wolves opted to sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa instead it now appears Carroll will re-join Reading instead.