Reading boss Veljko Paunovic has revealed to Berkshire Live that the club are continuing with their efforts to sign Andy Carroll to a longer deal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. 

The comments from the Royals boss follow the striker's goal scoring performance at the weekend as he notched up his first goal for the club in superb fashion during the club's 3-2 victory away to Swansea City on Saturday.

Carroll signed for the Berkshire outfit earlier this month and already appears to be a good fit for the Sky Bet Championship side as they look to move up the league standings over the coming months.

The striker's current contract only runs until the middle of January, due to the restrictions that have been placed on Reading by the Football League, however Paunovic has stressed that the club are looking to keep the player around for a lot longer than that:

"It was good for both and it was the best we could do in that moment. 

"He understands that. Although if we could, and there are others in a similar situation, we would commit him for the longer term because we want people to know where they belong so they can build their future.

"It's something we have to keep working on and we have to solve that soon."

Carroll had previously been without a club for a good few months following his release from his former club Newcastle United and will now be keen to show Reading fans what he can do on a consistent basis.

Reading are back in league action next weekend as they play host to Hull City on Saturday.

The Verdict 

This is a make or break chance for Carroll, who has to continue to prove that he still has something to offer at what is a very good level of the game.

His career has largely been blighted by injury but if he can stay fit, he is more than good enough to thrive for the Royals,

The goal he scored at the weekend shows that there is still plenty of life left in the legs of the 32-year-old and he will be hoping that he can kick on moving forwards.

There is no doubt that the Royals will now be doing everything in their power to ensure that the frontman remains with them for as long as possible as they seek to secure their Championship status for another season.