Cox, from Tilehurst, reportedly held talks with the Royals yesterday with a view to re-joining his boyhood club.

He and Mackie were both key members of Forest’s attack in the Championship last season.

Forest boss Stuart Pearce is looking to move players on who are surplus to requirements and former Downsway Primary and Denefield School pupil Cox appears to be among that group.

Pearce told the Nottingham Post: “Players who are surplus to requirements at this club will leave and imminently one or two more may go.

“Simon is one of the individuals who is speaking to a club.

“If a deal can be arranged, that might well happen.”

Cox, 27, joined Reading as a nine-year-old and rose through the youth ranks.

But he made only nine first-team appearances as a substitute before moving to Swindon Town in 2007 for £200,000.

He flourished at The County Ground, banging in 35 goals in 62 league games leading to a £1.5m switch to West Brom in July 2009.

He netted 10 times in 65 league games - only half of which were starts - for the Baggies and was sold to Forest for around £2m in 2012.

Cox scored 13 goals in 57 (16) appearances for Forest but rarely played as an out-and-out-striker.

Capped 30 times by the Republic of Ireland with four goals, Cox could now be moving back to the Madejski Stadium along with 28-year-old Mackie.

In addition, Crystal Palace forward Glenn Murray, 30, could be attracting Reading’s attention as boss Nigel Adkins looks to strengthen his squad.

Royals chairman Sir John Madejski is confident Reading FC’s new owners will release transfer funds before the takeover is completed.

Madejski says the consortium - headed by 76-year-old businesswoman Khunying Sasima Srivikorn - are ready to hand Adkins a transfer kitty to bring in new players, possibly before this Saturday’s opening Championship fixture at Wigan.

“I think the manager will have some help in that respect before the beginning of the season,” said Madejski.

Former West Ham and QPR defender and current free agent Anton Ferdinand was also spotted at MadejskI Stadium on Saturday for Reading's pre-season defeat by Swansea City.

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