READING FC are ready to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window – with a new striker top of Jaap Stam's wish list.

Stam brought in 11 new players last summer and Royals' boss looks set to sign even more reinforcements when the winter window opens.

Stam has made no secret of his desire to boost his firepower up front after missing out on a number of summer targets, forcing him to use Yann Kermorgant as a lone striker for most of this season.

His options have also been limited as Joseph Mendes, Yakou Meite and Deniss Rakels have all suffered injury set-backs, while ex-Academy striker Dominic Samuel has only been used sporadically.

Not surprisingly, Reading's leading goalscorer this season is winger Garath McCleary with six goals, two head of midfielder John Swift and Kermorgant.

But Royals are determined to beef up their attack in the New Year.

Technical Director, Brian Tevreden, explained: “You need to be prepared for the next transfer window.

“We'll be watching a lot of players who we might want to bring in.

“We want a new striker, so I am very busy at the moment with the recruitment team.

“The gaffer is looking, we are all looking so there's great ambition at the moment to prepare ourselves for the January window.”

While Reading's Thai owners look set to back Stam in the transfer market, Tevreden insists the club are not prepared to break the bank.

“I have been asked about the financial side of it and I agree with it,” he stressed. “I don't agree that money guarantees success.

“Reading has a very good Academy with good players. You have to be creative and Jaap certainly is.

“We want hungry, young players who have a feeling for the club.

“Other clubs have bigger budgets than ours. That doesn't mean we need to sell every player, but we want hungry players.

“Reading is very good at that, we have always had good, young players. Look at John Swift, Liam Moore, Callum Harriott for example. They are all young players and they fit in.

“The thing is this is a long-term project. You have to fail sometimes, but you learn from it.

“It's still early in the season, but I think it is working. We're building a foundation and I am happy.”

Despite Reading's problems up front, Stam's men have had an excellent start to the campaign.

They have won their last three Championship fixtures without conceding a goal and cruised to a 3-0 win at Wigan Athletic last time out to go fourth in the table.

Royals will now be aiming to cement their place in the top six this Saturday when they host Burton Albion on their return from a fortnight's international break (3pm ko).

“Every club wants to play in the promised land of the Premier League, and we have a long-term project,” added Tevreden.

“Of course we want to be promoted this season, but you have to be realistic.

“For now we are doing okay and I hope that one day we will get there.

“Also compliments to the Reading fans. They always get behind the team and every time I watch games from upstairs I get a good feeling.”

The likes of Paul McShane (Republic of Ireland), Chris Gunter (Wales), Ali Al Habsi (Oman), Sandro Weiser (Liechtenstein) and John Swift (England U21s) have all been away on international duty.

Stam is sweating on the fitness of Swift who rolled his ankle playing for England U21s in a 3-2 win against Italy at Southampton last Thursday night.

The ex-Chelsea midfielder, who has been inspirational for Royals, was due to have a scan amid fears he had damaged ankle ligaments.