Reading have appointed Brian McDermott as manager on a permanent basis after a spell as caretaker boss. Despite the club failing to win in five Championship matches the former Woking and Slough manager was given a 12-month rolling contract.

"I am delighted to have been appointed manager of a club that is very dear to my heart," the former Arsenal and Cardiff midfielder said. "As a team we have shown good signs in the past few weeks but we must be more consistent and play at the top of our game in every fixture.

"We are approaching a vital run of games and I will be doing everything I can to ensure we get back up the table as soon as possible.

"The supporters can really make a difference and I am confident we can reward them between now and the end of the season."

Reading have not won in the league since McDermott took over, including losing their last three games on the bounce, but McDermott has overseen two FA Cup upsets including the 2-1 third-round replay win over Liverpool and a 1-0 defeat of Burnley in the fourth.

They lie second-bottom in the Championship.