Reading manager Jaap Stam has had a very positive impact since arriving at the Madejski Stadium in the summer.

The Royals are currently sitting third in the Championship on 46 points but have a game in hand over their play-off rivals.

They'll probably be wanting to hunt down the top two, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion, as they look to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

Reading have had a four year absence from the top flight since relegation in the 2012/13 season.

To do that, Stam will be looking at strengthening his side during the January transfer window, which looks to be a hectic one as several clubs from the second tier look close to securing deals for key players as they build a promotion challenge for themselves.

Reading will need to get their act together and go out in the market quickly and swiftly they want to snap up the in-demand players.

The Royals have been linked with a number of players ahead of this month and here are two players who boss Jaap Stam should complete deals for this week, ahead of their visit to face Manchester United in the FA Cup Third Round.

Chris Forrester

The 24-year-old has been linked with several Championship clubs but it looks like Reading are the most likely to acquire the midfielder's services.

Chris Forrester is currently plying his trade at League One outfit Peterborough United but has impressed scouts since arriving at London Road in summer 2015 from St. Patrick's Athletics in Ireland.

He has scored three goals and assisted once for his team this term.

Forrester has set the league alight this season, helping guide the Posh to a place just outside the top six - a massive improvement from their position last term.

Reports have suggested Reading would have to pay £5 million for the attacking midfielder, and with interest from the likes of Brentford and Derby County, the Championship high-flyers will need to get a deal completed this week.

Scott Hogan

It is apparent that a striker addition has been priority for Jaap Stam this season.

Brentford's Scott Hogan has bagged 14 goals for the Bees this season in the league and as a result has attracted interest from clubs in this country and continental Europe.

Reading have been one of the teams who have been linked with a move for the 24 year-old.

Hogan will be in high demand this January transfer window and with Brentford not matching his ambition, I am sure he'll be pushing for a move away from Griffin Park over the next few weeks.

Jaap Stam should get this deal done quickly, despite a fee of £10 million looking like the minimum, Reading will have to dig deep if they want a prolific, proven striker to strengthen their promotion challenge.

 

Reading fans - would you take Forrester and Hogan? What business do you need to do in January? Let us know in the comments below...