Howard considered Saints switch

Howard was back in the Royals' starting line-up on Saturday in a win at his former club Barnsley and revealed afterwards that the Saints had been in contact.

He said: "There was an interest in taking me.

"The manager knows me and he knows that I want to play football, but he said he was happy with my performances and I was unlucky not to be in the team.

"He didn't want to let me go, but said to me that if I really wanted to go I could.

"But I said if I was going to be involved I was happy to stay and as far as I'm concerned I'm a Reading player."

Source: PA

Source: PA