It isn't only goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann who is providing a contract headache for Reading chief Nicky Hammond.

Defender John Halls, who has gone on loan to Preston for a month, is out of contract at the end of the season, along with defender Michael Duberry and injured wingers John Oster and Glen Little.

Oster is expected to resume training following an ankle injury at some point this month but Little, who has had an operation on an Achilles problem, is still months away from a return.