With Reading pushing hard for a play-off spot, Mark Bowen has not ruled out looking more ammunition in the January transfer window.

The side sit six points off of the top six, but do have a game in hand against fourth placed Nottingham Forest.

We look at seven players who could potentially join and push Reading over the line.

They have been rated on the realistic chances of the signing happening and ability they would bring to the squad this season.

1. Glenn Murray

Brighton and Hove Albion striker Murray has been heavily linked with re-joining the Royals in this window.

He scored eight goals in a half-season spell in Berkshire during the 2014/15 season, and ended the season as top goal scorer, despite leaving in January.

It has been reported that the Seagulls would allow Murray to leave on a free to a Championship club, with Royals and Nottingham Forest the two supposedly leading the way.

One stumbling block could be his age, being 36, but his style has never relied on pace so he has not necessarily lost anything from his game.

He has scored one goal in eight appearances for the Sussex club this season, in the EFL Cup against Bristol Rovers.

Good at playing up-front on his own, or in a two, he offers something Sam Baldock can’t, and could certainly do a job in keeping the goals scored column ticking over as Bowen’s side look to reach the top six.

He represents a decent option in the short term; and a reasonable level of realism.

Rating: 7/10- Good short term option to help with Lucas Joao’s injury; relatively cheap too.

2. Jonathan Kodjia

The Aston Villa striker is another player that could replace the injured Joao.

Having scored 48 Championship goals in 139 games, he has a decent record at this level for both Bristol City and the Villans.

A strong, powerful runner; he is a very similar player to Joao- when he is on his game, he is unbeatable but can get easily disheartened if things are not going his way.

A more expensive option to Murray, with a transfer fee required on top of the wages, he is 30 so could offer more service than the Brighton striker.

He would also be a good option, but financially less realistic than Murray.

Rating: 6/10- More sporadic than Murray and would present a more challenging financial burden.

3. Ivan Toney

Peterborough United striker Toney has been linked with many Championship sides in the window, including Bristol City and Birmingham City.

15 goals in 23 league games for the Posh, the former Newcastle United player would cost a fair bit to take him away from the Weston Homes Stadium, but with Reading probably needing some fire power following Joao’s injury, he is certainly an attractive proposition.

Still on 23, he can play up front on his own or in a two, having linked up well with partner Mo Eisa for the League One side so far this season having scored 28 between them.

He is still unproven at this level, but will need someone to give him a chance, why not Reading?

Rating: 4/10- Would demand a fee too large for Reading currently- but is no doubt one which will play at a higher level in the coming years.

4. Lyle Taylor

Montserrat international Taylor has been linked with Reading ever since he ripped nets at AFC Wimbledon.

The 29 year-old is at the Valley with Charlton Athletic, having joined in 2018, and has scored seven in 13 games on their return to the second tier.

The club were recently taken over and have reportedly removed a contract the club had put on the table for Taylor, and are willing to listen to offers.

He is out of contract in the summer, making him a much cheaper option than most would have thought.

Rating: 7/10-Relatively cheap option, still slightly unproven at this level as he has only had half a season of Championship football, but would offer another option to Bowen in Joao’s absence

5. Josh Laurent

Shrewsbury Town midfielder Laurent has been heavily linked with a move to Berkshire.

Highly-regarded by the Shrews, Reading are said to be leading the way for his signature.

At 24 he will have a lot of football ahead of him and will have to work incredibly hard to get into the midfield ahead of Charlie Adam, Pele, John Swift and even Andy Rinohmota.

He has scored three goals in 19 games this season, compared to four in over 50 games last season, so he is well on track to beating his previous best.

He has been offered a new deal at New Meadow but his current one expires in the summer, so could also be a low risk investment for the future.

Rating: 5/10- Unproven but relatively cheap. It looks quite likely that he will be at Reading at some point this year, but not convinced he will offer anything different to what the squad already has, if he makes it into the squad.

As well as the well- known options, here are a couple of more left-field players Royals would do well to look at:

6. Ferdi Kadıoğlu

The Fenerbache youngster has caught the eye of one or two Championship clubs, with strong rumours to Derby County in particular, as the Turkish club look to offload the Dutch winger.

Yet to start a league game, the 20 year-old has scored two and assisted one in eight cameo appearances.

Capable of playing either wing or as a number ten, his flexibility will certainly attract offers, however most probably only on a loan basis given his lack of experience.

He would certainly offer Reading an option if they wanted to change things up, maybe even allowing Ovie Ejaria to play in the middle rather than his recent starts out wide.

Rating: 3/10- Unlikely. Unproven in this league and the one he would be coming from, but would offer a relatively low risk investment. Doubt he would offer any more than Michael Olise or Garath McCleary could.

7. Simy

Crotone striker Simy has been linked with many clubs over Europe, such as Lokeren in Belgium.

Having signed a new deal in May, it would take a high offer to persuade him to join the club.

Nine goals in 19 appearances in Serie B; the striker has a proven track record in goal-scoring.

For comparison, George Puscas scored nine in one whole season for Palermo in Serie B last year and the club broke their transfer record to sign him.

Playing predominantly as a classic centre-forward, he would be a perfect replacement for Joao.

Rating: 3/10- Would be some coup for Bowen’s side but once again highly unlikely. The player would surely not join knowing he would just be a replacement for Joao, and what with Puscas and George Baldock in the wings, it would not make much sense financially to splash required.