They left it late but Reading ended up doing some nice looking business in the transfer window.

The Royals have not had a good year this season and a play-off challenge is highly unlikely even if we are in the Championship.

Instead, the club needs to just focus on getting away from the battle below for survival and their signings in January should allow them to do that.

Both Chris Martin and Tommy Elphick are astute pros and now the Royals should feel as though the next few months at least will be brighter.

Another individual who'll be hoping for a bright future, meanwhile, is Sam Smith with the club revealing today that the young forward has signed a new deal to keep him with the club until 2021.

Smith hasn't featured much for the first team this season but has played well in the U23 side at the club with him scoring goals regularly when given the chance to do so.

He looks a bright player, then, and just needs to make that final step up to be a first team regular - something he'll look to do in the coming years.

Thoughts, Reading fans? Let us know below!