Paul Ince stated that after Reading's 4-0 defeat to Stoke City, the former England captain would like two central midfielders in the transfer window.

Still operating under an embargo, including a one in-one out policy due to being allowed 25 squad players, these would have to be free agents or a temporary loan switch.

Take a look at three potential out-of-contract midfielders the Royals could take a look at.

Reading Chronicle:

Danny Drinkwater

Someone the club know well, Drinkwater spent last season on loan in Berkshire from Chelsea.

Scoring once in 24 appearances, the England international was popular among the staff and his teammates at Bearwood.

Now a free agent after his release from Stamford Bridge, the 32-year-old is still without a club.

It is well-known that Ince loves experience, and the Premier League champion has it by the bucket-load.

Reading Chronicle:

Tom Carroll

A tidy midfielder for the likes of Tottenham and Swansea City, a reccuring hip injury has plagued the 30-year-old's career.

Playing 17 times for Ipswich Town last season, the England Under-21 regular now finds himself without a club for the first time.

Great at keeping the ball ticking over and recycling possession, he has a pedigree Ince will be looking for, albeit not the injury record.

Saphir Taider

A vastly-experienced midfielder with the likes of Bologna and Inter Milan, the 30-year-old was last paying in Saudi Arabia.

An Algerian international was almost 50 caps, the French-born star can occupy any position in midfield and has almost 300 professional games to his belt.

Perhaps a harder sell than the others on the list, Taider would bring plenty of quality and depth to Ince's midfield.