Reading fans have urged the club to sign a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

Brazilian shotstopper Rafael is the current no.1 having joined the club late in the summer window after ending his contract early with Sampdoria.

But there is little in the way of back-up for the 29-year-old with both Joao Virginia and Sam Walker failing to convince between the sticks.

With this in mind, supporters reckon the club should sign another goalkeeper in the New Year to provide cover for Rafael.

In a fan survey conducted by Berkshire Live, 31 per cent of fans said the goalkeeping department was the one most in need of strengthening at Reading.

Nearly 23 per cent said a midfielder was needed, while a new striker and a left winger were also high on the list.

Former Reading loanee midfielder Lewis Baker, who is currently on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf in the Bundlesliga from parent club Chelsea, is the player most fans want the club to sign in January.

The 25-year-old had a highly productive loan spell with Royals in the second half of last season and played an instrumental part as former boss Jose Gomes steered the side to Championship survival.

Danny Loader and Chris Gunter were two popular picks for which players should be loaned out by Reading in January.

Both players are out of contract in the summer and their days in Berkshire appear to be numbered.

A good number of fans who took the survey said the club's younger players - such as Josh Barrett, Michael Olise, Ryan East, Tom McIntyre and Gabriel Osho - all need a temporary exit in January.

Senior outcast pair Vito Mannone and Sone Aluko, whose loans expire at the end of the year, were identified by fans as players who should be sold in the upcoming window.

Gunter, Loader, Tyler Blackett and Sam Walker were also 'popular' picks by those who answered the survey.

Meanwhile, more than 60 per cent of fans who took the survey rated the season as three out of five - with one being disastrous and five as excelent. Almost 31 per cent gave the campaign a two.

A total of 78 per cent of fans said Reading were right to sack Gomes last month after the poor start to the season.

More than half who responded to the survey said midfielder Ovie Ejaria was the player of the season so far.

The Liverpool loanee has been in inspired form for Reading and is one of the top rated players in the league.

Ejaria was followed in the list by fellow midfielder John Swift and defenders Andy Yiadom and Michael Morrison.

Everton loanee Virginia has been named as the most disappointing player for Reading this season.

The 20-year-old has made just three appearances for Royals and has lost his place in the matchday squad after some high-profile errors.

Striker George Puscas was second in the list, with 16 per cent voting him as the most disappointing player so far.

The Romanian has scored just four goals in 16 appearances since his summer switch from Inter Milan. Pele and Loader were third and fourth respectively in the voting.

Fans appear to be fairly optimistic about what the season holds for Reading.

More than 60 per cent of loyal Royals said the club will finish between seventh and 12th in the Championship table come the end of the season.

Just over a quarter said Mark Bowen's side will finish between 13th and 21st in the standings.

Some fans (12 per cent) even predicted Reading to finish in one of the four play-off spots.

Keep an eye out on our social media pages for more Reading FC news - we are on Twitter @readingfclive and on Facebook Reading FC Live

Follow our dedicated Reading FC reporter on Twitter @jonathanl50

You can also get the latest news via the FREE Berkshire Live app - download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here

See more here:
Goalkeeper top priority for Reading FC in transfer window, say fans - Get Reading