Strong rumours suggest that Reading have firmly switched their sights from Trevor Benjamin to Martin Butler this week and, from the amount of other strikers they are currently linked with, it appears that chairman John Madejski has agreed to provide extra funds for a goalscorer.

As well as persistent rumours linking our top scorer with the Royals, they are also reportedly eyeing Aston Villa striker Martin Byfield - who had a loan spell at the Abbey earlier this season - and Nottingham Forest striker Dougie Freedman. Meanwhile Division Two high-flyers Preston North End have also been mentioned in connection with Butler in recent days.