The Royals have had an outstanding start to the season with the majority of the fringe players having been shipped out on free transfers or released at the start of the season, and new signings such as Paul McShane, Orlando Sa, Matej Vydra and Stephen Quinn have revolutionised the side.

There is still work to be done however, and although big earners such as Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie have already left the club, there are still players sitting in the reserves or on the treatment table, eating up wages and clogging up the squad.

So, many Reading fans will be calling for Clarke to clear out the rest of the deadwood in the January transfer window, to complete the transformation from last year's underachieving squad, to promotion candidates.

Here are FIVE players that Steve Clarke could move on when January rolls round...

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS

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Simon Cox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Irishman started last season off in fine form but didn't score a single goal in the second half of last season and has fallen out of favour at the Madejski under Steve Clarke.

Has already been sent on loan to Bristol City to get some game time, but could well be shown the exit door when he returns.

Hal Robson-Kanu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Welshman was once tipped as a hot prospect and had an excellent start to his Reading career.

However, since then, he has found it hard to replicate for club, what he has performed like for Wales, and while he is the most capped player in the side currently, fans wouldn't be devastated to see him leave.

Alex Fernandez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The midfielder, on loan from Espanyol, has hardly had a look in since arriving from the Spanish club on loan, and has looked unspectacular in his few appearances.

It would be unsurprising if Clarke was to cut his loan short.

Paolo Hurtado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Has found himself short of opportunities since arriving in the summer, and hasn't really had a chance to shine so far.

Finds himself behind Ola John, Lucas Piazon, Nick Blackman and Garath McCleary in the playing order, so could be sent out on loan to gain some experience.

Anton Ferdinand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst the centre back has been solid in the games he has played, he spends more time in the treatment room than he does on the pitch and is on significant wages.

He could be moved on, especially if young centre-back Jake Cooper steps up to the plate.