JOSE Gomes is close to finalising his fifth January signing at Reading FC.

Royals’ boss told this morning’s press conference an unnamed player is set to undergo a medical today with a view to completing a move to Madejski Stadium.

The new arrival is likely to be a defender as speculation over Tiago Ilori’s future intensifies.

The 25-year-old is being heavily linked with a return to Sporting Lisbon, who are reported to have had a £1.5m bid turned down.

Portuguese media have suggested Ilori, who joined from Liverpool for £3.5m two years ago, is keen on the move.

He is currently nursing a knock and is battling to be fit for Tuesday night’s relegation six-pointer at Bolton Wanderers.

Gomes explained: “He is injured and I don’t know if he will recover or not before Tuesday.

“He landed on his back and hip at Manchester United and there was a lot of swelling at the time.

“He is trying to train but he’s suffering a bit. We will have to see how he is.”

Responding to Sporting Lisbon’s reported interest, Gomes stated: “About the Portuguese club, again that is normal.

“He is a player Reading brought in, he is our player and we cannot give players to anyone.

“We are in the moment where we need everybody’s help. But in football, anything can happen.”

When asked whether the potential new signing is a replacement for Ilori, Gomes responded: “Let him finish the medical exam and sign, because he didn’t sign. When we announce this you will see.”

Gomes had made four loan signings so far this month in Norwich City striker Nelson Oliveira, Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez, Liverpool midfielder, Ovie Ejaria, and Chelsea midfielder, Lewis Baker.

“The idea is to improve quality and give us more solutions, now we have two more,” he said after Oliveira and Martinez arrived within a 24-hour spell earlier this week “Both will be very important for the future and maybe today or tomorrow we will announce another player.”

Gomes also confirmed Oliveira and Martinez are in contention for the clash at Bolton on Tuesday: “These two players yes, the new player I am talking about, we will see,” Gomes added.