Resources in place for January signings

The Royals were among the less active clubs over the summer, with Steve Coppell signing just Emerse Fae, Liam Rosenior and Kalifa Cisse. The current squad have teaken the club to 12th position at the moment with Coppell preparing to add to his playing squad in January.

Hammond told the club's official website: "We would like to add some new faces in January to provide some impetus.

"The board are always very supportive of what we are trying to achieve, and the financial backing is in place.

"The scouting and coaching staff are clocking up thousands of miles to find the best talent available and we have the resources available to sign four or five established players if the right ones are available.

"As always, it's a case of making sure everything about the deal is right. We won't spend for the sake of it, that's not our way of doing things.

"But we have the finances to meet the transfer fees and wage demands if the right players are available and want to come to Reading.

"No specific budget has been set, but make no mistake, we will be in the mix when it comes to the players we think will improve us."