READING FC striker Dominic Samuel is wanted by Southend United.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown has admitted they are keen to bring in the 22-year-old on loan for the remainder of the season.

However, Brown has also revealed they face competition from a host of other clubs from the Championship and League One.

He told the Chronicle's sister paper, the Southend Echo: "Three or four clubs in our league are also interested and so are two or three in the Championship but we’ll be doing all we can to bring him to Southend."

Samuel has made 15 league and cup appearances for Jaap Stam's side this season, scoring twice.

But he has featured only once for the Royals in the Championship this season and has dropped down the pecking order following Yann Kermorgant's return to fitness and stiff competition from Yakoue Meite and Joseph Mendes.

Samuel came through Reading's Academy, making his first-team debut in 2012 before loan spells with Gillingham, Coventry City, Colchester United and Dagenham & Redbridge followed.

With his chances limited at Madejski Stadium, Stam could be willing to let Samuel go out on loan to Roots Hall to give him much-needed pitch-time.

Stam has already loaned out a number of his fringe and younger players during January, with Jake Cooper joining Millwall and Niall Keown going to Partick Thisle in the past week.

Stam said recently: “It's a good thing if players who can't get in the first team get an opportunity elsewhere.”

Stam has made one signing in January following the capture of Tiago Ilori from Liverpool for a club record £3m.

This week he revealed he has drawn up list of potential targets he would like to bring in before next Tuesday's transfer deadline, but he also warned supporters there is no guarantee any will arrive.