Nicholas Bignall is a speedy forward who came through the academy at Reading.

A lively striker or winger with plenty of pace, he scored twice on his first-team debut for the Royals in a 5-1 Carling Cup demolition of Burton Albion in August 2009.

Nicholas then joined Stockport County on loan and featured regularly for the Hatters, scoring three goals in 13 appearances. He has also enjoyed loan stints with Northampton, Cheltenham, Southampton and Brentford, whom he helped to a Wembley appearance in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2011.

Nicholas has made just one league appearance for the Royals so far - coming off the bench against Barnsley in Brian McDermott's first game in permanent charge of the club.