Striker deal on hold

Reading's hopes of landing Watford forward Tommy Smith have taken a knock after they denied a deal has been done for him.

The Royals are looking to replace Kevin Doyle, who has left the club to join Wolves, and it was thought a deal for Smith to team up with his old boss would be forthcoming.

They have now denied a deal has been agreed and their chairman Jimmy Russo has branded Reading's offer as 'derisory' and is adamant nothing has been agreed between the Championship rivals.

"As far as I am concerned there is no deal whatsoever with Reading," Russo told the Watford Observer. "I can 100 per cent guarantee that.

"They have made a derisory offer which I am not interested in."