NIGEL Pearson is among the early favourites to replace Fulham-bound Steve Clarke as Reading FC boss – having turned down the Cottagers earlier in the week.

It is thought Pearson rejected Fulham's advances on Tuesday, only to emerge as a leading candidate to take over from Clarke.

Clarke looks set to be unveiled by Fulham later today after Reading cancelled their weekly press conference scheduled for this morning.

It is believed Clarke did turn up for training today, presumably to say goodbye to the players and staff.

Former Leicester City and Southampton boss Pearson, 52, is now 5/1 with most bookmakers to become Reading FC boss, though he his also the same price to become the permanent manager of Queens Park Rangers.

 


 

The early joint-favourites in the betting for the Reading FC job are Kevin Keen and Tim Sherwood, both around 4/1.

However, the likelihood is that Clarke will take current Royals assistant boss Keen with him to Craven Cottage, should the move be completed today.

 


 

Sherwood, sacked by Aston Villa last month, is searching for a new club with which to relaunch his managerial career.

Among the other contenders to take over the reins at Madejski Stadium are ex-Manchester United boss David Moyes (8/1), Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (10/1) and Uwe Rossler (12/1).

 


 

Brian McDermott, who won promotion to the Premier League with Reading in 2012 before losing his job in March 2013, is around 16/1 to make a surprise return to Madejski Stadium.