Reading's wait to appoint Paul Clement's successor goes on, but they seem to be edging ever-closer to appointing a new manager, with Jose Gomes still the favourite to take over the relegation threatened Royals. 

According to reports from Portuguese media outlet, Record, Reading are in contact with Rio Ave's president over a settlement package to bring Gomes to Berkshire.

This process is taking longer than expected though, and due to this, Gomes is expected to be in the dugout for his side's clash against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday evening.

It hasn't been quoted as to how much the negotiation is worth, but it's likely to be a sizeable fee, with previous target, Luis Castro reportedly being a €1m target for the Royals.

The Berkshire-based side are currently only outside of the relegation places on goal difference, so if Gomes was to arrive, he would have an almighty fight on his hands to save them from relegation to League One.

Reading will be hoping to have a new manager before the New Year, so that they can analyse the squad in order to make the necessary additions to the current playing squad so that they can retain their status as a Championship club.

The Royals host Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, where they will be looking to earn a crucial three points to steer themselves away from the bottom three heading into the New Year.

The Verdict: 

Reading need to appoint a new manager - and quickly.

Gomes would be a risk, but at the end of the day, if they don't appoint a new in charge before the New Year, then they could be in deep, deep trouble.

They need to allow the manager time to implicate his style on the team, and if they delay any longer, then the new boss will have an even tougher job on his hands as Reading could be back in the relegation zone by then.