Reading boss Brian McDermott is on the verge of completing the signing of Stoke right-back Andy Griffin. The 31-year-old impressed during a four-month loan spell at the Royals this season and McDermott is hoping to secure his services on a full-time basis.

"We are talking to Andy Griffin and Stoke," he told the Reading Chronicle. "We'd really like to do something on that one if we can and we'll see what happens.

"All I'll say is Andy is very, very important to us."