JAAP Stam could be looking to loan out more fringe players following Jake Cooper's move to Millwall.

The 21-year-old centre-back has joined the League One Lions for the rest of the season and could make his debut at Bradford City this Saturday.

Woodley-born Cooper has struggled to nail down a regular place in Stam's first team this season having made only three appearances in the Championship and two in the EFL Cup.

He did not feature for Royals in the FA Cup this season, so is eligible to face Premier League Watford in the fourth round of the competition at The Den on January 29.

Academy product Cooper dropped further down the Royals pecking order following the signing of Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori for a club-record fee this week.

Skipper Paul McShane, Liam Moore and Tyler Blackett are all specialist centre-backs, while Joey van den Berg and Danzell Gravenberch have also filled in.

And Stam is keen to see his younger players gain some much-needed experience while on loan.

“I've spoken with Brian [Tevreden, director of football] about what we can do with the squad and the amount of players we have,” stated Stam.

“We spoke about the possibility of getting players out if we get some in.

“It's a good thing if players who can't get in the first team get an opportunity somewhere else.

“Brian is working on it, but the players also need to want it [a move] as well. If they don't want to leave, that is also a possibility.

“However, for certain players it might be difficult to get minutes in the first team.”

When the Chronicle yesterday asked Stam if Cooper was one of the players he was looking to loan out, Royals boss replied: “I don't want to give names, I talk about all the players and what's best for them.

“We're speaking to players and their agents about these things.”

Meanwhile, Reading have also extended Craig Tanner's loan with League Two Plymouth Argyle until the end of the season, while Tarique Fosu (Colchester United) and Sean Long (Lincoln City) will stay where they are for the remainder of the campaign.