Reading boss Brian McDermott will not be spending big during winter window

The Royals are in need of fresh faces, with life in the Premier League testing them to the full.

McDermott's men are only a point away from clambering out of the drop zone, but appreciate that an injection of experience and talent in January would aid their cause considerably.

A number of high-profile figures have been linked with moves to the Madejski Stadium, with it suggested that Reading are prepared to spend big in pursuit of top-flight survival.

McDermott, though, has sought to distance himself from the endless rounds of rumours, with the Royals boss conceding that he remains in the market for bargains.

"We will not be doing 5million deals - the club has never done that," he said.

"It's the team unity that's helped me over the last three years.

"I've never had money, so if you don't have it, you can't spend it and you have to find another way. It doesn't have to be splashing loads of money at it - just don't tel l the chairman that."