READING are lining up a possible swap deal with Portsmouth which would see David Nugent arrive at the Madejski Stadium and Stephen Hunt going the opposite way.

Director of Football Nick Hammond has been at Pompey's last two friendlies casting his eye over Nugent who has failed to live up to his £6 million price tag since moving to the South Coast club.

He took in an hour of last Saturday's 0-0 draw with Basingstoke and left once Nugent was substituted.

Hammond was in the stands again on Monday night and this time saw the striker score a 14 minute hat-trick against Eastleigh in Pompey's 6-1 victory.

It is no secret that Reading are looking to bolster their attacking options following the summer departures of Kevin Doyle, Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson.

Brendan Rodgers has made a move for Watford's Tommy Smith, but his £800,000 bid was rejected out of hand by the Vicarage Road club who then accepted a £1.8 million offer from Sheffield United for the forward.

Smith favours a move to Reading over Brammall Lane but, as of yet, Watford have shown no signs of doing business with Hammond, despite on-going conversations between the two clubs.

With the league season kicking-off in just over a week, Rodgers is keen to get any new recruits on board and is still hopeful of adding at least one new face before Saturday's game with Chelsea.

Speaking during Reading's tour of Sweden he said: "I'm hoping we may have a signing or two in by then.

"The club are aware of the targets I want. Nick has been working hard while we've been here trying to do some deals and if it's not before Saturday then hopefully it's early next week."

The delay over the Smith deal has prompted Rodgers to look elsewhere and Pompey boss Paul Hart's interest in wantaway midfielder Hunt could be a perfect option.

The Fratton Park outfit have flown out for a pre-season tour of Portugal, but Hart has spoken of his desire to bring in at least five or six players by next week.

Hunt is at the top of his wish list and a swap deal is seen as the perfect option for both clubs. Pompey's young Irish defender Mark Wilson is also said to be interesting the Royals.

The 21-year-old broke through to the fringes of the first-team last season, featuring seven times, and can play at right-back or centre back.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Dorian Dervite is another on Rodgers' radar and a loan deal for the youngster could be wrapped up before the weekend, although Spurs' growing defensive injury crisis might scupper the move.