Following a poor start to the season, Reading appear to have shaken off their playoff hangover, with Jaap Stam’s side finally beginning to show signs of the form that saw them to third-place in the previous campaign.

The Royals have enjoyed a solid unbeaten spell which has seen them pull clear of the relegation spots, with the top-six slowly emerging as a distant speck on the horizon.

Stam will hope his side can push on in the second half of the season and challenge for a playoff berth, and will know that January will be a huge month in the outcome of the Royals’ campaign.

Reading have looked frail at the back at times, and Stam will look to address this issue in the new year.

Left-back has presented a particular problem, with Rangers’ Declan John linked to The Madejski Stadium in recent days.

However with other clubs circling and parent club Cardiff unlikely to be keen to sell to potential promotion rivals, Stam should perhaps turn his attentions to this pair…

Scott Malone

Malone was a key figure of Fulham’s fabulous campaign last season, and earned a dream move to the Premier League with promoted Huddersfield Town in the summer.

However things have not worked out for the 26-year-old at The John Smith’s Stadium, with the player making just five top-flight starts under David Wagner.

Malone is used to playing week in week out, and may consider his future at the club in the new year, with a loan spell a potential option for the defender.

Reading should welcome the player with open arms, with Malone a significant upgrade on the current options available to Stam.

If the Dutchman can pull this one off, Reading will have seriously improved their squad.

Charlie Taylor

Taylor left boyhood club Leeds in controversial circumstances this summer after refusing to sign a new deal with the Whites, but has failed to nail down a regular role at Burnley this season.

The 24-year-old has made just one Premier League substitute appearance this term, and may consider a loan move in the new year to improve his fitness and prove to Sean Dyche he is good enough for the starting eleven at Turf Moor.

Taylor is a talented young player with bags of potential, and needs a break if he is to fight his way into the first-team at Burnley.

He has the option to stay in Lancashire, or move back to the Championship to gain vital minutes and continue to develop his game, and this is the option the player must choose.

Stam should start to enquire into his availability as soon as possible.

Reading fans, would this pair represent a better option than Declan John? Have your say below...

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