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.
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."
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."
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