READING FC's bid to sign Billy Sharp appears to have hit a snag.

Sharp looked set to seal a three-month loan move from Southampton over the weekend.

But there has been no confirmation from the Madejski Stadium that Sharp has actually arrived.

The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a reunion with Royals manager Nigel Adkins, who was his boss at Scunthorpe United and Southampton.

But Sharp's wages could be a sticking point as reports say Saints want his loan club to pay them in full.

Adkins is eager to strengthen up front after allowing Noel Hunt and Simon Church to leave over the summer, and with Jason Roberts battling to recover from a long-term injury.

However, he may not be in such a rush to bring in more reinforcements now that Pavel Pogrebnyak's future looks more certain.

The Russian forward - one of the biggest earners at the club - was expected to leave the Royals over the summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

But a move never came off and the 29-year-old has vowed to knuckle down and help Royals' promotion bid.

The former Fulham loanee scored his first goals since January on Saturday with a brace in Reading's 3-1 win at Derby County, a result which stretched their unbeaten run to four matches, including three victories and three clean sheets.

He said: "I’m very happy that I stayed here. I had some opportunity to go, but I don’t speak again about this.

"Now my head is in Reading and I work hard and help my team to be in Premier League."

Reading return to Championship action this Saturday when they host Birmingham City at Madejski Stadium (3pm ko).