Pardew's Piggy: Glen Little

Alan Pardew has been handed a 'sizeable' transfer budget which he will attempt to invest wisely in players that can earn the Royals automatic promotion to the Premiership next season. But who will Pardew spend the contents of his piggy bank on?

Burnley Football Club are a club currently in a spot of financial bother and are looking to get Glen Little off the wage bill. Reading MAD thought they would find out a bit more about the 27-year-old...

So who's after him?

Before the ITV Digital fiasco Premiership clubs were swarming over Little. Stan Ternent's side even rejected a £3.5 million bid from Manchester City for their star man. However, more recently interest from the Premiership in the 6ft 3in winger has cooled. Preston made enquires about his availability earlier in the summer but were put off by his wages, believed to be in the region of £8,000 per week. So if Glen's going anywhere he's going to Reading.

How much would he cost?

Glen Little

The Clarets would likely allow one of their most prized assets to go for free, just to get his £8,000 per week wages off the wage bill. Stan Ternent's squad has been much depleted over the summer, if he was to let Little leave it would free-up funds which could be invested in several free transfers, hence the anticipated lack of a transfer fee.

Is he worth it?

Alan Pardew is desperate to add another right-winger to his squad following the release of Sammy Igoe on a free transfer. Whilst Little is not going to offer the best 'bang-for-your-buck' out of all the available wingers, should Pardew fail to get his primary target, Scott Murray, then a move for the former loanee would be an alternative more than worth investigating.

If he was to come to Reading where would he play?

Little was used predominantly as a winger during his two-month loan tenure at the Mad Stad earlier this year so would be favourite to take the right-wing spot previously occupied by Sammy Igoe. However, in the past the ex-Glentoran player has also featured in centre-midfield and on the left-wing. It wouldn't be surprising to see Pardew use him on the left, particuarly if John Salako and Nathan Tyson are to have a couple of their typical 'iffy' games.

So what's he done in his career thus far?

Little takes on Forster at the Madejski Stadium (August 2002)

Born in Wimbledon, Little's career began with Selhurst Park side Crystal Palace, but ended without the lively youngster making a single first team appearance. His professional career apparently in ruins at such an early age Glen moved to Northern Ireland where he enjoyed a successful spell with Glentoran.

Having made a name for himself in a foreign land, Burnley were quick to pay a £100,000 fee to bring the Englishman home. Some impressive performances for the Clarets led to the Londoner being lauded the club's star player. Moreover, when transfer fees were at their peak the Turf Moor inhabitants were said to value Little at £5 million.

More recently Glen has been a bit-part player, but a player everyone wants to see in the first team. He is, in a sense, a Jamie Cureton of the North.

In March, after 196 appearances and 32 goals in a Burnley shirt, Stan Ternent let his star man go on loan to Reading for the season's conclusion. With First Division football guaranteed for another year the Clarets were keen to get their biggest earner off the wage bill for a bit just to save some money.

So will he sign for Reading?

Reading MAD reckon that if Alan Pardew fails in his bid to sign Scott Murray from Bristol City then he will turn his attentions to Glen Little. The big-man certainly impressed many during his loan spell at Reading last season but isn't held in the same high-regard as Murray.

A right-winger will almost certainly join the Royals this summer, expect Little to be second on Alan Pardew's most-wanted list.