Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is preparing a major offer for Reading striker Kevin Doyle.

The Mirror says O'Neill will allow Marlon Harewood to leave for Reading - as part of a £10million deal to land Doyle.

Aston Villa boss O'Neill has made Doyle, the country's leading scorer with eight goals, his main transfer target in January.

And he is ready to allow £4m-rated Harewood to move to the Madejski Stadium to help finance the deal for the Republic of Ireland striker.

Reading boss Steve Coppell fought hard to keep Doyle at the club after relegation.

But he accepts that he could be fighting a losing battle and said: "People have focus at the club right now, because the window is closed and they have a job to do.

"If they want to get a move, then they are in the shop window and they have to perform."