By Matthew Grant
March 1 2004

Reading are set to complete the loan move of Leicester midfielder, Paul Brooker on loan today. The former Brighton player who will once again link up with Steve Coppell has struggled to get into the Foxes team this season and so has agreed to an initial one-month loan stay at the Madejski. Paul Brooker played at the Madejski Stadium last year when the Seagulls beat the Royals 2:1 and played a big part in Brighton's first goal in that game with 'incident' with the back pass. Steve Coppell will be hoping Brooker can improve the Royals rather inconsistent performances and strengthen their chances of getting in the Play-Off's this season.

Brooker will be available for selection for Saturday’s game with Sheffield United at the Madstad and should go straight into the starting line up.

Darren Powell also looks set to join the Royals in a permanent move from rivals Crystal Palace. A fee has been agreed between both clubs but Powell is currently coming back from injury so manager Steve Coppell is not in a hurry to push the deal through.