Championship side Reading will be eager to add a couple of players during the January transfer window, after seeing their squad look depleted amid an injury crisis at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

With this, they were forced to put six academy players on their bench in some of their recent games, with goalkeeper Rafael Cabral the only senior option available to come on against the likes of Millwall and Birmingham City and 17-year-old Tyrell Ashcroft starting at The Den in the absence of Andy Yiadom.

Veljko Paunovic's side will be hoping the international break gives some of their absent players the chance to build their way back up to full fitness ahead of a busy winter period, with a sufficient amount of squad depth desperately needed to compete with some of the more capable teams in the league.

 

 

In normal circumstances, with last Saturday's win at Birmingham City under their belt, there wouldn't be so much panic in Berkshire. But a potential nine-point deduction coming down the tracks could put them in relegation danger if they fail to gain some form of consistency.

This could make January additions vital to add quality to their squad - but they will also need to consider potential departures ahead of the upcoming transfer window with a couple of players potentially in line to leave the club.

We take a look at just two players who could seal their departures away from the club next year.

George Puscas

Soccer Football - Championship - Derby County v Reading - Pride Park, Derby, Britain - September 29, 2021 Reading's George Puscas in action with Derby County's Richard Stearman Action Images/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY

This departure would be heavily dependent on the second-tier side's ability to operate freely in the transfer market, because they will be reluctant to let their only fit, senior striker leave the club if they are unable to bring in at least one or two replacements.

With their embargo, the Royals found it extremely difficult to make additions before August in the previous window and may only be allowed to sign free agents and loan players once again during January, limiting the players they can realistically recruit.

But if Puscas' sale means they can bring in a couple of forwards to provide them with more firepower up top, with the Romanian failing to score in any of his 17 league games this term, this is something the club will surely consider with Sport.ro reporting that he will be put on the transfer list by next summer at the latest amid interest from CFR Cluj.

Although the 25-year-old is clearly talented, he hasn't adapted well enough to be a reliable lone striker at this stage and has struggled at times because of this, also failing to take a couple of gilt-edged chances this season.

Jahmari Clarke might be injured at the moment, but with the 18-year-old coming on for the Romanian international against Birmingham City last weekend and scoring a brace to win the game at St Andrew's, that could be the final nail in the coffin of the latter's Reading career.

Two strikers would ideally be needed to replace him in January though with Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite currently out injured. The former is particularly injury-prone.

John Swift

Soccer Football - Championship - Reading v Peterborough United - Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain - September 14, 2021 Reading's John Swift celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Matthew Childs

Again, his sale will probably depend on the freedom the EFL give the club to sign players in the winter window, but Swift could be in line for a departure from the Select Car Leasing Stadium if a tempting enough bid comes.

Undoubtedly the Royals' most valuable asset after Michael Olise's departure to Crystal Palace in the summer, they will be desperate not to lose the 26-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season, something that looks set to happen with the former Chelsea man yet to sign fresh terms in Berkshire.

He is currently being monitored by numerous Premier League sides including Burnley, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers according to Football League World sources - and this interest will only intensify as January approaches.

Manager Paunovic has admitted it will be a tall order to tie the midfielder down to a new contract because of the club's lack of financial power to offer a lucrative deal, something Swift will surely be demanding if he's to reject top-flight interest and stay after scoring eight goals and recording eight assists in 17 league games this term.

Looking at this situation from a Reading perspective though, with a nine-point deduction on the horizon, he could be crucial in guiding them away from any potential threat of relegation during the second half of the campaign.

This makes whether to cash in on him or not a difficult decision.