READING FC have been tracking York City’s highly-rated striker Aidan Connolly.

Royals, who failed to bring in a forward before the transfer window closed, have sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action in recent weeks.

And Connolly did not fail to impress by scoring twice in a 4-0 home victory over Solihull Moores at Bootham Crescent.

However, Minstermen boss Jackie McNamara insists Connolly is not for sale.

He told The Press in York: “The last thing I want to do is lose somebody like Aidan.

“He does look a level above everything that’s on the pitch at times with his vision, awareness and the way he uses his body, but he’s our player for the next two years and he won’t be going.

“Like many boys in our team, he’s had that bit of resentment and something to prove after being released in January, but he’s shown he’s ready to fight for his career and his all-round performances have been excellent.

“How he has settled in with his goals and creativity has been a massive plus for us.

“He could have had a hat-trick (against Solihull) and I’m delighted for him, because it was a big thing for him coming down here, but he’s showing how good he is and how influential he is for our side.”

Royals boss Jaap Stam has limited options up front after losing Deniss Rakels for the next five months at least with a broken ankle.

He attempted to sign ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, 30, from Shanghai SIPG on loan for the season, but the Ghana captain failed a medical at Madejski Stadium.

Stam had also been linked with a deadline-day swoop for Bournemouth’s Lewis Grabban, Aston Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor and Partizan striker Valeri Bojinov.

But Reading failed to bring in any attacking reinforcements meaning they will fight on in the Championship with Yann Kermorgant as their number one hitman and Joseph Mendes, Dominic Samuel and Yakou Meite in support.

The only way Royals could tie up a quick deal for ex-Raith Rovers and Dundee United forward Connolly is if his contract was terminated by York City as clubs are prevented from bringing in permanent or loan signings until the transfer window re-opens in January.

Meanwhile, Reading return from a fortnight’s international break when they host Ipswich Town under the floodlights this Friday (8pm ko, live Sky Sports).

Stam will be hoping to build on their 1-0 win at Cardiff City in their last Championship fixture when they take on Mick McCarthy’s Tractor Boys in a televised clash.

However, Stam is sweating on the fitness of Meita and John Swift who have both picked up knocks.

Swift, signed from Chelsea in the summer, has a problem with his hamstring which forced him to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s England Under 21 squad for their clash against Norway on Tuesday.

Meita has a fresh ankle injury that he picked up in training, having only recently recovered from a similar knock.