Reading boss Paul Ince revealed that the club are weighing up a longer contract for young defender Amadou Mbengue.

The 20-year-old signed a short-term deal with the club in September and will be out of contract in January, but the former Metz star has impressed in Berkshire.

A regular in recent weeks, his raw speed and 'never give up' attitude has caught the eye of both supporters and staff at Bearwood.

Reading Chronicle:

Speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle, Ince admitted it was something on the radar.

"With Amadou, he’s a lovely kid and the lads love him. We can play him in numerous positions, and we would like to sit down and make it long term. I don’t get too excited about people playing well for two or three games, people have to consistently do it. He’s raw, but I love that, and he will only get better and improve.

"He’s someone we need to look at from a long-term point of view, and it will be down to myself and Mark Bowen. I’m pleased that as a manager you can bring players in from Europe and they fit in so well, that means we as a staff are doing something right and the culture is right. With him, he’s only going to get better.

"We need to find his best [position], sometimes when you’re a utility man you can’t get nailed down to a position, which is great for me as a manager but not always great for the player. When you get the likes of Liam Moore and Naby back, all of a sudden, we’ve got five centre-halves. It’s a fight then, competition, but that’s what I want."

Reading Chronicle:

This is in contrast to fan favourite Andy Carroll, who's contract is also up in January.

Speaking to the media after a 2-1 win over Hull, Ince said it was not his decision over an extension.

"We have to wait until January," he said. "It won’t be my decision; it will be the agents’ decision."