Reading could secure a major boost ahead of Wednesday's visit of Sunderland, as they are nearing a deal for former Newcastle, Liverpool and England forward Andy Carroll to re-join the club.
Carroll, 33, has been a free agent since leaving West Brom in the summer and was recently linked with a move to Premier League side Wolves after Raul Jimenez was struck down with a long term injury.
But after Wolves opted to sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa instead it now appears Carroll will re-join Reading instead.
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The Reading Chronicle report Carroll will be in training this week with the club with a deal expected imminently. It would be unlikely he would feature against Sunderland but it will be a boost to Royals manager Paul Ince ahead of the visit of the Black Cats.
Carroll scored two goals in eight appearances for Reading during a brief stint at the club last term and he will provide competition for fellow veteran forward Shane Long.
Reading currently sit third in the Championship table after an impressive start to the season but Sunderland can move to within a point of their opponents with a win at the Madejski Stadium.
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