JAAP STAM says Reading need to make further signings before the end of the transfer window.
Royals beat Millwall 3-1 after extra time to book their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup this evening, having made eight changes to the side.
And with the transfer window slamming shut next week, Stam has his eyes on two positions in particular.
This is what he said to the media after the game regarding transfers and he also gave a comprehensive injury update.
On bringing players in…
If it’s up to me then I’m very confident, but it’s not up to me. We need to bring players in. That’s what I spoke about with the club before I signed. It’s about bringing the right players in to make us stronger.
On the price of players being a stumbling block…
Going towards the end of the transfer market it’s going to be even harder because if you want a good player, that team is not going to say you can have my best player for half the price. It’s not going to happen.
The longer we wait, the more expensive players are going to get. It’s not going to be an easy job to bring those players in, but they need to come in because we need that extra quality within the squad.
A striker and a midfield player are the main priorities.
On injuries…
John Swift has got a hamstring injury. He’s going to be out for up to four weeks probably, which is a pity.
Liam Kelly got a knock deliberately on his thigh in the Preston game. It’s not bad, he had a dead leg but we couldn’t risk it today. Hopefully he’s going to be fit for the weekend.
Joey van den Berg is back in training with the squad maybe tomorrow or Thursday.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is close to being match fit again, McCleary is getting close but it’s not easy. Being fit doesn’t mean that you can play 90 minutes. You saw that with him today, he started but he was not really up to the standards that he needs to bring. That takes time.
Roy Beerens has a family issue, he’s in Holland. Hopefully he is back for the weekend.
Jordan Obita is feeling good, running outside. He hasn’t joined in with the group but I spoke with him before the game tonight and he is feeling very positive.
If you talk to Yann Kermorgant he says he’s a couple of weeks away but in reality it’s going to be at least six or seven weeks.
