Ali Al-Habsi On Trial

Here's one from left-field for you: former Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi is currently training with the Royals with a view to making the move to Hogwood a permanent one.

The goalkeeper has made over 100 appearances in the Premier League, as well as over 100 caps for the Oman national team. The trial will only last a few days and will give the coaching team the opportunity to get to know the 33-year-old a little better, giving them a chance to properly assess the experienced goalie before offering him a contract.

Al-Habsi will spend his trial training with Dave Beasant, the former England international who joined the staff team last week.

The news will come as a welcome relief to even the most pessimistic of Reading fans, who have been crying out for a goalkeeper since the news of Federici and Andersen's departures last month, which left the club with only young Stuart Moore as goalkeeper in the squad.

If Ali Al-Habsi impresses Clarke and company enough to earn a new contract, he will be our fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Orlando Sa, Stephen Quinn and Paul McShane.

What do you think, Reading fans? Is Al-Habsi what we need, or should we be looking elsewhere? Let us know below.