Reading manager Brian McDermott eager to sign experienced players in January

Reading bottom of the table

Brian McDermott (GETTY IMAGES)

Reading manager Brian McDermott is keen to add experienced individuals to his squad when the transfer window opens in January.

The Royals remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League table following last night's 5-2 hammering at home by Arsenal.

The Berkshire's Russian owner Anton Zingarevich maintains funds will be available to bring in fresh faces in the new year.

McDermott reckons players with top-flight experience could prove pivotal in the club's relegation fight, and revealed he has spoken to Zingarevich about potential targets.

"It would be good to see if we could get two or three players who have played at the top level," he said.

"They need to know the level and have played there and been there, seen it and done it, whether we can do that or not time will tell and we will see.

"I had a discussion (with Zingarevich), we had a four hour meeting the other day and talked about players coming through the door."

The Royals brought in eight new signings after winning the npower Championship last season, but McDermott's squad is still short on Premier League experience.

The 51-year-old admits the club will never be able to compete with the spending power of some teams in the league and that Reading's current standing in the table could also act as a deterrent to any potential new signings.

"January is a very difficult window, especially if you are struggling and are where we are in the league," he said.

"I can't see this club ever spending a fortune in January, I just don't think it is going to happen. Having said that we have to try and find some experience to come through the door for us.

"I think that if we can, they are the kind of players we should be going for."

McDermott will have been boosted by the goalscoring return of Mali winger Jimmy Kebe against the Gunners and he also has midfield duo Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie close to full fitness.

Kebe, however, is in no doubt the Royals will need to spend big in the January sales if they are to stand any chance of avoiding a swift exit from the top flight.

"We are all working hard for each other. We have got some good players, but there is a big difference between being in the Championship and in the Premier League if you do not spend any money to make the team better," Kebe told reporters.

"The chairman has got the money anyway, it is not the manager who chooses who he can buy or not.

"It is easy to talk, but right now we are in big trouble, so you should ask the chairman if he wants to spend any money to make the team better so we can compete in the Premier League."

Reading head to champions Manchester City next weekend, but then have two home matches over Christmas, against Swansea and West Ham, which could see them get back on track.

Striker Noel Hunt maintains the Royals can turn things around with some old fashioned hard work.

He said: "We know we are in the middle of it, but we cant give up.

"We need to rectify a few things on the field and the sooner the next game comes the better."

PA