Published: Monday, 25th January, 2010 3:00pm

BREAKING NEWS - Royals land Zurab

by Anthony Smith

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King Khiz: The Royals have landed Blackburn's Zurab Khizanishvili on loan for the rest of the season.

NEW signing Zurab Khizanishvili could go straight into the Reading starting line-up at Sheffield United after joining on loan from Blackburn Rovers for the rest of the season.

The 28-year-old Georgia captain met his new team-mates this morning (Monday) and he is almost certain to be included in Brian McDermott's squad for the clash at Bramall Lane tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm ko).

The arrival of the ex-Rangers star, who can play in defence and midfield, continues McDermott's bid to add more experience to his side.

Khizanishvili has more than 70 international caps and has played over 300 games in his career, the vast majority of them in the English and Scottish top-flight.

He also spent a short spell on loan at Reading's Championship rivals Newcastle United earlier in the season.

McDermott told the Chronicle: "I met him on Sunday and we got on really well.

"I told him what I was looking for and he told us of his expectations. He thinks the time is right for him to get out of Blackburn and play some games and we're delighted he'd agreed to join us.

"He's available for the Sheffield United game. I know what my team is but I'll keep that to myself."

And caretaker boss McDermott, who could be given the job permanently this week, says the capture of Khizanishvili continues his theme of injecting more experience into his young Royals' squad following the recent loan signing of Andy Griffin and Gunnar Thorvaldsson.

"He can play centre-half, full-back or centre-midfield but he's predominantly a centre-half," he explained.

"He's been around the Premier League for a long time and he's played for Newcastle this season so he knows what to expect.

"He's 28 which is a good age and I just felt we needed to bring some games into the squad.

"We did that with Andy Griffin and Gunnar Thorvaldsson and now we've got Khizanishvili."

Khizanishvili launched his career in his native Georgia before joining Dundee in 2001.

It led to a big move to Rangers and he played for the Glasgow giants in both the Champions League and Uefa Cup.

After three years at Ibrox, he went to Blackburn for £500,000 and thrived under Mark Hughes.

He has featured for Rovers in the Carling Cup and FA Cup this season on top of his loan at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, McDermott has confirmed Reading midfielder James Harper can play for Sheffield United against his parent club.

Harper is on a season-long loan at Bramall Lane but there is no clause in his contract which prevents from facing the Royals tomorrow.

"Yes he can play," stated McDermott. "It will be a difficult one for him.

"He's a Reading player, he's been around a long time. But he's got to do what he's got to do on this occasion, even if it hurts him."

Royals picked up no fresh injuries following Saturday's FA Cup fourth round home victory over Premier League Burnley.

Gylfi Sigurdsson's late strike secured a 1-0 victory and fifth round home tie against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, February 13 (3pm).

McDermott added: "It's at home which is the key.

"We're looking at a crowd of 20,000 plus so it's a big game and we're looking forward to it.

"But we've got some tough games in the league before that.

"We've had a long rivalry with Sheffield United in the Premier League and the Championship so we know what we're going in to.

"Bramall Lane is never an easy place to go but we will give it our best because we need to start winning games and climbing out of trouble."

Reading are languishing in 22nd position in the Championship and are four points behind the nearest club, Scunthorpe United,