Reading FC boss Paul Ince confirmed that the club are close to completing the signing of Andy Carroll.
Ince confirmed that Carroll is currently training with the Royals and hopes to complete the deal this week.
“We’re looking to try and do something this week and get him ready before the Wigan game.
“Mark Bowen needs to sit down with his agent and sort the numbers.
“We’re not the richest club in the world at the moment, but he will see if he can reach an agreement with the agent.
“He will be a great acquisition for us. He’s only been in the building for a couple of days, but he’s been here before.
“He’s great in the changing room, he’s got Premier League quality and gives us mental toughness and character. Hopefully if we can get the deal done it will be great for us.
“Just look at the two disallowed goals he scored against Fulham last year, they were world class goals.
“If we get him it will be a huge boost for the lads and the fans.”
The 33 year-old is a free agent after departing West Bromwich Albion in the summer and is due to begin his second spell in Berkshire.
Carroll joined the Royals last year on a short-term contract under Veljko Paunovic.
The striker made a positive impression despite his short stay, where he made eight Championship appearances and scored two goals.
His first Reading goal came in a 3-2 away win at Swansea City and his second came in a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.
After his contract expired, he joined West Brom for the remainder of the season where he scored three league goals in 15 matches.
