Reading currently sit 13th place in the Sky Bet Championship, having lost six in their last ten matches.

The Royals are struggling in front of goal lately, also scoring six in those last ten fixtures. However, they have booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 5-2 replay victory over Huddersfield.

Reading have plenty of firepower up front, with Matej Vydra, Yann Kermorgant, Hal Robson-Kanu and Orlando Sa currently at the Madejski, although the latter has been widely linked with a move away this month.

However, they have scored just seven goals between them this season, and have been devastated since top scorer Nick Blackman joined Derby earlier in the January transfer window.

Reading will be disappointed with their league position, after fans and pundits alike tipped them for a play-off push this season. This, so far, has not been realised, and Reading are now entering a crucial phase of the season struggling to score.

After entertaining Walsall in the FA Cup this weekend, they face a big match at eighth place Ipswich. Wolves are the next visitors to the Madejski, in a similar boat as the Royals, and they face high-flying Burnley a week later.

With the transfer deadline slowly creeping up on us, permanent switches are going to be hard to push through between now and 11pm on 1st February. However, clubs can sign free agents at any time throughout the season.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Ryan Evans identifies THREE free agents that Brian McDermott should consider signing this month to help his side push up the table......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 3 FREE AGENTS!

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Nikola Zigic

The ex-Birmingham City man is probably best known for scoring the opener in the 2011 League Cup final victory over Arsenal, part of his 128 appearances and 32 goals in his first spell at the club.

The Serbian is a proven goal scorer in the Championship, and, after an unsuccessful second spell at the Blues in 2015, was released last summer.

The striker is 6ft 7 and relies upon his height in his play, holding up the ball well in the style of Peter Crouch.

Ever an aerial threat, he may provide a great outlet for the Royals, both from a long clearance out of defence and from set pieces in and around the box.

The 35-year-old has had an impressive international career, scoring 20 goals in his 57 appearances as a part of the Serbian national set up.

However, quite whether another ageing striker is required at Reading is doubtful, and whether Zigic has the motivation and ability to still play at that level.

David Prutton

Prutton is a central midfielder with a lot of experience at Football League clubs.

In all, he has played for Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leeds, Colchester, Swindon, Scunthorpe, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday, before being released in 2014 by the latter. All in all, he has made 441 appearances and scored 25 goals in his career.

At 34, his career is not over, and a move to Reading may seem ideal for him to re-discover his form. As a box to box midfielder, his priority would be to interrupt play and start attacks.

However, this is a role that Oliver Norwood has most regularly played this season, and the former Plymouth man is in the form of his life, so whether McDermott would want to disturb that is unlikely.

Shola Ameobi

Ameobi spent 14 years at Newcastle, making 312 appearances and scoring 53 goals. Since his leaving St James's Park, the Nigerian spent time at Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor in Turkey, Crystal Palace and most recently at Bolton Wanderers. The 34-year old's contract expired at the Macron Stadium earlier this month.

Ameobi uses his strength to beat players, and tends to go through hot patches of form.

He scored in his last outing, a 3-1 win over MK Dons, and scored two goals in eight Championship games for the Trotters.

Ameobi was tipped for big things recently, although many might say he made the wrong move by leaving for Turkey.

The Nigerian would bring pace and power to the Royals, and his ability to pick a pass may lead to him playing in a number of roles for McDermott's side.

Reading fans, do you agree? Who would you like to see your manager bring in for the rest of the season? Let us know in the comments box below!