Reading do have a backup plan should Brighton boss Gus Poyet turn them down.

Royals owner Anton Zingaravich and football chief Nicky Hammond want the club's full-time successor in place ahead of the club's next league game, away at Arsenal on March 30.

Paolo Di Canio, Roberto Di Matteo and Nigel Adkins have all been in the frame to replace Brian McDermott.

Adkins could still emerge as a contender for the job should Poyet reject the offer, Di Matteo is understood to prefer to wait until the summer before taking a decision on his next position, while Di Canio's possible appointment has been met with major opposition from members of the current squad.