With the January transfer window returning in a matter of weeks, Reading manager Mark Bowen has plenty on his agenda surrounding the future of his players.

The Welshman has a large squad at his disposal and although fans should not expect a flurry of activity, there could be a few players coming in and moving out.

Some departures are more likely than others, while other transfers are possible depending on moves elsewhere.

Here is a closer look at each squad player and a verdict on whether Royals should look to keep or sell them next month.

Goalkeepers

Vito Mannone

The Italian is firmly out the first-team picture and should not be short of suitors after a successful loan with Minnesota United.

With six months left on his contract it's safe to say he won't be playing in a Reading shirt again.

Verdict: Sell.

Sam Walker

The current back-up goalkeeper to Rafael and likely to stay that way.

The former Colchester United shotstopper has failed to nail down the no.1 jersey but appears to be content on helping the other keepers out.

Verdict: Keep, but sell if a replacement can be found.

João Virgínia

The Everton loanee has had nothing short of a disastrous spell and will head back to Merseyside early.

Verdict: Heading back already, hopefully allowing a youngster to step up.

Rafael

The Brazilian has established himself as Reading's no.1.

Although he has not been totally error-free, he is a solid and reliable option to have between the sticks.

Verdict: Keep.

Jökull Andrésson

One of the up and coming keepers at the club and someone who has already taken part in senior training sessions.

Verdict: Keep, but either loan out or promote to no.3 option behind Walker and Rafael.

Defenders

Chris Gunter

The Welshman has been a great servant for the club, but with his contract up in the summer, his days are numbered - even with Andy Yiadom out injured.

Verdict: A departure was possible but now with Yiadom sidelined, expect him to see out his contract with Reading.

Michael Morrison

Proven to be an astute summer signing and established himself as a regular in the Reading defence.

Verdict: Keep.

Matt Miazga

The on-loan Chelsea defender has carried on where he left off from his loan last year with a string of solid displays.

Assuming the Blues don't recall him because of an extreme injury crisis, he'll be staying in Berkshire.

Verdict: Keep.

Liam Moore

Reading defender Liam Moore

The skipper has had various formations and playing partners to deal with and hasn't always looked totally comfortable.

That said he remains a key part of the side and this should be one of the quieter windows he's had during his time with Reading.

Verdict: Keep.

Jordan Obita

The left-back is still working his way back to full fitness and trying to get games on a regular basis.

Being out of contract in the summer means the pressure is on him to perform to earn a new deal.

Verdict: Keep.

Tom McIntyre

Talented centre-back who is coming through the ranks and could well be a regular in the Reading backline in the future.

That said, the chances of game time at senior level appear slim between now and the end of the season and he is currently out with a hamstring problem.

Verdict: Keep, but possibly loan out (if fit).

Andy Yiadom

Reading's Andy Yiadom
Reading's Andy Yiadom

Firmly established himself as the first choice right-back and arguably one of the best in the division.

Verdict: Keep.

Teddy Howe

An exciting prospect who continues to impress with the U23s. A loan could help in his development.

Verdict: Keep, but loan out.

Tyler Blackett

The back-up centre-back whose versatility is an important asset for the squad.

It's a big time in his career at Reading too with six months remaining on his current deal.

Verdict: Keep.

Omar Richards

Gaining experience all the time and is clearly benefitting from having Obita pushing him for his place.

Not yet the finished article but an important part of the side right now.

Verdict: Keep.

Tennai Watson

The right-back has struggled for game time during his loan at Coventry so he may look to move elsewhere when his deal is up at the start of the year.

Verdict: Loan out again or sell.

Gabriel Osho

A promising centre-back who is with National League side Yeovil Town on a month-long loan.

His contract is up in the summer and it's hard to see it being renewed.

Verdict: Loan out or sell.

Akin Odimayo

Another young centre-back who made his first-team bow earlier in the season. He has been on loan at Hungerford Town.

Verdict: Loan out.

Ramarni Medford-Smith

The young left-back, who is yet to make a senior appearance for Reading, is with Torquay United until the New Year.

Verdict: Loan out or sell.

Ramarni Medford-Smith

Tom Holmes

The centre-back is on a season-long loan with KSV Roeselare.

Verdict: A big decision on him will have to be made in the summer.

Midfielders

Andy Rinomhota

Last year's player of the season continues to be an integral part of the side.

Leeds are reportedly keeping tabs on him, but it would take a massive offer to lure him away from Berkshire.

Verdict: Keep.

John Swift

The playmaker had been having a brilliant season but a hamstring injury has put a temporary stop to it.

Verdict: Keep.

Garath McCleary

In the same boat as Gunter in terms of being long serving and out of contract in the summer.

The winger has seen more game time recently than Gunter but like the Welshman, his days at the club are numbered.

Verdict: Sell if an opportunity arises for him.

Ovie Ejaria

The Liverpool loanee is hitting the headlines on a regular basis and there would quite possibly be a riot if he was recalled by the Reds!

Verdict: Keep.

Michael Olise

The teenager is a hot prospect who had a few brief spells with the first team. He has been performing well with the U23s this season.

Verdict: Keep.

Adrian Popa

The Romanian is back on a season-long loan in his homeland and won't play again for Reading as his contract is up in the summer.

Verdict: Will be released in the summer.

Charlie Adam

Reading midfielder Charlie Adam

The Scotsman's only on a year-long deal after coming in from Stoke last summer.

He may not play every minute, but he is providing a valuable impact when he does play.

Verdict: Keep.

Pele

Nearly halfway through a season-long loan from Monaco but is yet to fully win over the Reading fan base.

Verdict: Keep but needs to do more to earn a permanent deal.

Ryan East

Struggling to force his way into the first-team set-up and still plying his trade with the U23s.

Verdict: Keep, but a loan will probably do him good.

Tyler Frost

In a similar scenario to East although at 20 still has time on his side.

Verdict: Keep but loan out.

Thierry Nevers

An exciting prospect for the future.

Verdict: Keep.

Josh Barrett

Fallen back into the U23s after Jose Gomes' exit. Still has a year and a half to run on his contract but his chances of making it at Reading are fast running out.

Verdict: Keep but a big decision must be made in the summer.

Ethan Coleman

One for the future and is best suited by continuing his development with the U23s.

Verdict: Keep.

Jordan Holsgrove

Enjoying a loan with Spanish side Atletico Baleares and has a big summer ahead to show what he has learned from it.

Verdict: Keep.

Sone Aluko

The former Fulham man has just finished a loan with Beijing Renhe. Financially it doesn't make sense for Reading to keep him but whether they can find suitors for him is another matter. 

Verdict: Sell or loan out again.

Strikers

Sam Baldock

Brought back into the fold by Bowen and is reaping the rewards with some eye-catching peformances.

Verdict: Keep

Danny Loader

Reading attacker Danny Loader
Reading attacker Danny Loader

 

A talented prospect but has reached an impasse over his contract situation and is likely to leave either in January or when his deal ends in the summer.

Verdict: Sell.

Lucas Boyé

On a season-long loan but like Pele is failing to convince in a Reading shirt. Needs a big second half of the season to earn a permanent deal.

Verdict: Keep, but improvement needed.

Sam Smith

Out on loan with Cambridge United for the season and has been in among the goals.

A player who faces a big summer ahead though with his Reading contract up in 2021.

Verdict: Keep but assess over the summer.

Yakou Meite

The former PSG man was tied down to a new deal earlier in the season so unless a huge offer comes in he won't be getting anywhere.

Verdict: Keep.

Marc McNulty

The Scotland international is with Sunderland in League One for the season and its highly likely he will be moved on in the summer.

Verdict: Sell if possible but most likely will have plenty of options next summer.

Lucas João

Injuries have not been kind to him so far since his move from Sheffield Wednesday but he is set to be a key part of the side moving forward.

Verdict: Keep.

George Puscas

The Romanian has blown hot and cold since his record switch from Inter Milan and there has been talk of a bid from Fenerbahce coming in.

Reading do not have to sell him from a financial point of view so the only chance of him leaving is if he desperately wants to.

Verdict: Keep.

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