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The Royals are struggling with injury problems, currently keeping Jem Karacan, Hope Akpan and Danny Guthrie on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
That means that Nigel Adkins' side have been monitoring the 'little magician', according to the Daily Star.
However, fellow Championship sides Bournemouth and Watford are in the hunt for 20-year-old Payne.
Do Reading need to bolster their midfield, and should they be going for more experienced players? Comment below.