McDermott eyes January deals

27 December 2012 08:30
Reading manager Brian McDermott wants to sign two or three experienced players in January but has played down links with Andrey Arshavin.

McDermott hopes his men have turned the corner after they ended a seven-match losing run and moved off the bottom of the Premier League with a goalless draw against Swansea. Jimmy Kebe recently criticised Russian owner Anton Zingarevich for not splashing the cash during the summer after the club won the Championship. With Reading still six points off safety at the halfway stage, McDermott wants to inject some top-flight experience into his squad during the transfer window.

"We are talking at the moment regarding players. If we could bring in two or three players that could make a difference, it would be useful to the squad," McDermott said.

"We don't generally deal in big prices. We try to get players that are available. I'd like to bring in two or three with a little bit of experience at the level.

"Having said that, if we can bring in someone from somewhere who we think has potential and can play for us, then fine and that's what we have done with the group now."

McDermott played down reports Reading could sign Arsenal forward Arshavin. Asked if there was any chance, McDermott said:

"I don't think so. At this time of year you hear lots of rumours. I have heard that one."

Reading came close to ending their losing streak against Manchester City, only to be denied the draw by a late Gareth Barry header. On Boxing Day, the Royals ground out the point and would have taken more had Swansea defender Chico Flores not managed to head Adam Le Fondre's late volley over his own bar. It was a drab Boxing Day encounter but McDermott's primary concern was stopping the rot, not laying on a festive footballing feast.

"We need to do whatever we have to do to get results," McDermott said.

"We were much more resilient. It is important to move on with a point and we can look forward with confidence to West Ham.

"We have got a point and a clean sheet and we are off the bottom of the table."

Source: team_talk