The Chronicle understands the Nottingham Forest pair are set to sign for the Royals in a major double-swoop for manager Nigel Adkins.

Adkins has been prevented from making any transfers for the past 13 months while the club’s ownership issues dragged on.

But Reading’s imminent new Thai owners have decided to hand Adkins a cash-in-advance bonus to bolster his squad in time for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship opener at Wigan Athletic (3pm ko).

It will be something of a homecoming for 27-year-old former Reading FC youth striker Cox, who is expected to pen a permanent two-year deal in a £600,000 move.

It is understood Mackie, 28, will initially join on a season-long loan after Forest boss Stuart Pearce told both players they were surplus to requirements at the City Ground.

The duo couldn’t arrive at a better time for Reading who let five senior players go over the summer in order to slash the wage bill and were forced to sell top scorer Adam Le Fondre to rivals Cardiff City to pay off debts.

A relieved Adkins beamed: “The takeover appears to be a lot close than what it was and is moving in the right direction.

“There’s a lot of positivity. We’ve got a month left of the transfer window to buy players permanently and then the loan window opens. It’s not about one game at Wigan.

“If the ownership situation allows us to provide stability and enhance the group with the right sort of experienced characters then that bodes well for the future.”

He added: “We have not been able to sign anybody and players have left the football club.

“Everyone knows I have been very protective of the football club and the position it has been in.

“It would be nice if it [the takeover] is resolved so we can enhance the group.”

Cox, from Tilehurst, reportedly held talks with the Royals on Tuesday 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.

But Pearce said this week: “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.”

In addition, Crystal Palace forward Glenn Murray, 30, could be attracting Reading’s attention.

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.

Meanwhile, Reading chairman Sir John Madejski is confident the Thai consortium headed by 76-year-old businesswoman Khunying Sasima Srivikorn will continue to back Adkins in the weeks to come.

“I think the manager will have some help in that respect,” he stated.

Samrit Bunditkitsada, part of the takeover consortium, was due to arrive in London last night along with Thai international midfielder Pokklaw Anan, fuelling rumours of another possible signing for Reading FC ahead of the weekend.