Jaap Stam's Reading are high-flyers in the Sky Bet Championship as they currently sit 3rd in the table, only behind Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United and Chris Hughton's Brighton & Hove Albion.

It's difficult to see them failing to claim a spot within the play-offs as they continue to impressive, however, they may struggle to reach those coveted automatic promotion places.

In my opinion, the current Royals team lacks a prolific striker who they can rely on - if you look at most teams who have gone up to the Premier League in recent years, they've had a forward who scores most of the goals.

You just need to look at Burnley's Andre Gray and Hull's Abel Hernandez, who both hit more than 20 goals to fire their sides to promotion.

Despite that, it's not just up front Reading may be looking to improve on during this hectic January transfer window.

Manager Stam should genuinely look to loan in at least one of the following three top flight players to guarantee a place in the top six at the end of the season.

David Nugent

The 31-year-old striker has fallen down the pecking order at Middlesbrough since their promotion to the Premier League last year.

With the Teeside club playing a lone striker in their formation, Nugent is now their third choice forward at the club and will definitely be looking to get some game time.

Since signing for 'Boro in August 2015, David Nugent became a valuable squad member in the 2015/16 campaign but a lack of time on the pitch for the ex-England international may mean a a loan move away from the Riverside.

Middlesbrough may not want to get rid permanently as they still loom above the relegation zone and may need him for next year.

Jaap Stam may be looking for goals but also a player who has experience, and the Championship is Nugent's home turf having spent most of his career in the second tier of English football.

Matty James

James has made it clear that he is looking for more time on the field, whether that be at his current club Leicester City or away from the King Power Stadium.

The midfielder has been another victim of falling down the pecking order since the Foxes' sudden rise to becoming Premier League champions and attracting several players in the same position from across Europe.

Matty James moved to Leicester, along with teammate Ritchie De Laet, in May 2012 from Manchester United and was a regular starter during his first year with 30 appearances in the 2012/13 season.

The 25-year-old has played in 87 matches for the current Champions.

Reading may add Matty James on loan to add more hunger and desire to the squad - as he would look to impress Claudio Ranieri by showing what he can do.

Jerome Sinclair

A Liverpool youth academy product, Jerome Sinclair looks likely to be another striker who had the potential but never fulfilled it.

Despite only being 20-years-old, the forward has found little game time at Watford since arriving from Anfield last summer for a fee of £4 million.

Sinclair needs game time if he wants to develop and I cannot see why the Hornets would want to waste the youngster's ability by sitting him on the bench every week.

Stam could be on the hunt for someone young, rather than experienced, as he may develop Jerome Sinclair's career and benefit Reading by notching a few goals in the second half of the campaign before returning to Vicarage Road.

A loan deal would be best for both parties.

 

Reading fans - would you like to sign any of these 3 players on loan? Who would you like to see arrive in January? Let us know in the comments below...