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With the likes of Adie Williams, Marcus Hahnemann and Nicky Shorey missing at the back Steve Coppell has been given a defensive headache that is threatening to put Reading's season on the life support machine.
In order to stifle the infection Coppell is hoping to bring in defensive cover on a loan basis, although ex-Brentford defender Darren Powell could be signed on a permanent deal before the transfer deadline, despite worries about his fitness.
Fans love to guess and double guess as to the players their manager is looking at signing. But it seems that if you name any Nationwide player or out-of-favour Premiership footballer you can't be going too far wrong.
Coppell confessed to the official site: "I've got hundreds of players in mind but I can't get them! Players are at a premium at this time of year. Nobody in this division is going to help us, and there's so much at stake in the Premiership that not many of those players are available either.
"I've got to get on the phones and try to do something about it. But with only four days to go before deadline day I can't guarantee anything."
The Royals are hoping to complete the signing of Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Kelvin Jack on a short term deal lasting until the end of the season later this week. The club will then consider whether they are prepared to offer the 28-year-old a deal for next season.
In addition to any late season defensive dealing, Coppell will hope to tie up a permanent deal for loanee Lloyd Owusu. The Sheffield Wednesday man is currently scheduled to return to Hillsborough early next month at the end of his three month loan tenure.
Although Nicky Forster is nearly ready to make a first team comeback, Coppell needs a striker in reserve should the Forster-Goater partnership be broken by injury or poor form.