BRIAN McDerrmott has played down rumours linking Steve Sidwell with a return to Reading FC, writes Anthony Smith.

Sidwell, 33, is struggling for games at Stoke City and has been linked with a loan move to the Royals.

But while McDermott describes the former promotion-winner as a Reading 'legend,' he says he already has plenty of options in midfield.

McDermott, who is hoping to make a couple of January signings, explained: “Listen, I love Steve Sidwell, he's a good friend of mine and I've known him a long time.

“He's a good player but I look at that department of the team and it's strong in my opinion.

“We've got players like Aaron Tshibola to come back so my gut feeling is that if we were to sign a midfield players at this stage it would be a younger one we can develop as well. That might be on the agenda.

“But Siddy is a top man and a legend at Reading. To be honest, we haven't really discussed it.”

McDermott, though, could be tempted to strengthen his midfield ranks if the right player became available.

And while he is not a fan of signing senior players, he acknowledges it has worked for Royals in the past, most notably when he landed Jason Roberts from Blackburn Rovers in January 2012 and went on to win the Championship title a few months later.

“I always talk about the today, but you have to consider players we want to develop in the future,” he stated. “We've done that at this club over a long period of time.

“Aaron Tshibola, Jordan Obita and a number of Academy players come into that category. We have to develop them as our own players.

“So if we can sign one or two younger players to develop then great.”

He added: “There may also be a case for bringing in an older head like we have done before.

“The best example I can give woukd be Jason Roberts.

“He came in at a time when we were doing well and he added something to the mix.

“If a player like that becomes available we think is right for us, I would certainly take him.

“We haven't got anyone in yet but we will see what happens, but there are plenty of days left in the window.

“If we're tring to do deals, which we possibly are, we need to get them over the line.

“Nick Hammond [director of football] gets involved and does his stuff like he has done for years and years.

“Let's hope we can do one or two things.”

McDermott may be hopefully of signing new players this month, but he insists that finding a striker to replace Nick Blackman is not a priority.

Top scorer Blackman, with 13 goals this season, moved to Derby County for around £4 million last week and played against Reading in the 1-1 draw at iPro Stadium on Tuesday night.

Peterborough United's Conor Washington, Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle and Rangers forward Martyn Waghorn have been heavily linked with a move to Madejski Stadium.

Bournemouth striker Yann Kermorgant is another possibility following an influx of new players at Dean Court.

“Nick played out wide and we've got a number of wide players,” said McDermott.

“Ola John is not playing at the moment, Paulo Hurtado can play there, we've got Hal Robson-Kanu, Garath McCleary. That's four wide players, we probably don't need any more.

“In terms of strikers, Hal can play up front, we've got Matej Vydra, Orlando Sa and Lucas Piazon has played in that role.

“A lot of Premier League clubs go with three strikers because they only play with one up front.

“But if something comes up and we can do a deal, we will look at that.”

Reading go to struggling MK Dons this Saturday (3pm ko) with Paul McShane, Obita and Tshibola still sidelined through injury.