Reading are being linked with a loan move for Town midfielder Jimmy Bullard. The Royals reportedly want to land the 33-year-old before their weekend game at Middlesbrough.

Bullard, who joined the Blues on a two-year deal after having his contract terminated by Hull last summer, hasn’t started a game since the 4-0 defeat at Burnley in November.

With Andy Drury and Luke Hyam currently in the team, skipper Grant Leadbitter waiting in the wings, Lee Bowyer fit after his groin injury and Ryan Stevenson signed from Hearts in January, Town may be open to loaning Bullard, who is believed to be the club’s highest earner on a reported £18,000-a-week.

Meanwhile, Reading boss Brian McDermott is also reported to be in talks with Wolves regarding the vacant manager's job at Molineux.

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 07:54 - Feb 21 Just to add to my last comment, a thought occurs. This game behind closed doors, I just wonder if it could include one of the Portsmouth three and that Jimmy out on loan would cover the wages of same, should he join us or loan. Could be totally wrong, but by now perhaps one of them could be having a change of heart [ or the no wages thing ]. Guess we'll soon see. About Jimmy, agree with him getting game time, but also that we should do what all the other clubs seem to do to us - 24 hour recall !

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Surco72 added 08:13 - Feb 21 I would like to see Bullard play with Hyam rather than the holding role he has been in all season .Cannot let him go if Drury gets injured or drops form we will be left with Leadbitter who creates nothing and Stevenson who is untested at this level .Bowyer as back up for Hyam . We have got ourselves on a good run with team spirit dont spoil it for the sake of a few weeks wages

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cooper4england added 08:23 - Feb 21 How do we know he is good for morale? I am not saying he isnt but its possible sitting on 18 000 grand a week and doing little may have been one of the issues that was affecting our form. Remember that most Hull fans dont have a good word to say about him. I am not forgetting that if was a God last season I am just not sure where the comments that he brings lots off the field are backed with real evidence. I will be happy to be wrong!

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roytheboy added 08:35 - Feb 21 If he is loaned out then it must be on a 24 hour recall, he has to be first choice if Drury is unavailable, I believe he is raring to get playing again and would do well for us, we know what he can achieve when he is on form etc.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 08:39 - Feb 21 ITFChorry: What a great idea!! I do hope Narwich wants Cloggy. Now that would be deal. He'd shaft them in 6 months!!
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SomershamBlue added 08:57 - Feb 21 JB isn't 'the future' and I doubt that he will be with us next season, but I'd still like to have him on the bench for the rest of this season - to be brought on as an 'impact player'. And who cares what other the supporters of other teams say about our players? I don't.
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rosseden added 09:02 - Feb 21 Cooper4England. You only have to look at how the other players react to his presence to see there is a unity there and he's a big part of it. He might be a clown but he's a talented clown and most of our team will benefit from having him about. Id be more than happy for him to move to the youth set up when he finishes playing too. He's the sort of character kids can engage with . . . .

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CraigForrestGateau added 09:05 - Feb 21 I'm happy for him to be loaned, just so it'll stop the annoying idiot who sits near me and boo's his every touch and shouts negative chants at him, on his own! In all seriousness, would rather keep him, but wouldn't be the end of the world what with the depth we have in that position at the moment.
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alfromcol added 09:10 - Feb 21 A wrong move to loan him out, he is a great morale booster to have around. Quality player for the young players at Town to learn from, free kicks etc etc. Only got to see him join in the celebration of the goal on Saturday to know how keen he still is.
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AndyStannard added 09:33 - Feb 21 town are spastics!!! They try so hard to get hold of him pay huge wages dont play him then release him!!
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sonian_blue added 09:36 - Feb 21 Get shot and I will drive him if need be. What a waste of 18K a week. Those who think he is worth it for the morale are on a different planet. Would rather spend it on someone who contributes on the pitch. Was always against this, bags of effort whilst on loan then back in slippers once signed up. The bloke is a mercenary and only motivated by money, therefore I doubt it will happen, Reading wont cave in to his demands.

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UsualSuspect added 10:01 - Feb 21 Lovely choice of words AndyStannard. No need to loan Jimmy out, perfect replacement for Drury if he gets injured or loses form, it'll only upset the balance of the squad imo.
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Paulc added 10:15 - Feb 21 JB has been utter toilet since he got his contract, coinsidence? Who knows. We should not loan him out, just in case we need the cover, but based on this season's form that should be all we need him for. It really gets on my thropneys when people keep banging on about the quality of the man, sure he's got bundles of it, when it suits him (like putting yourself in the shop window (16 games last season)). Because since he's signed he's shown nothing! And he's good for morale? what like a court jester? you could hire a team of clowns for a lot less than his weekly salary. summary: great player when arsed, don't let him go because we may need him and boy has he got a lot to prove. BTW: Why is it I get colds, but footballers get viruses?

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PSGBlue added 10:18 - Feb 21 Bullard has shown no interest in Ipswich since he signed a contract, certainly not worth £18K a week. Reading are welcome to him, as well as leadbitter and Bowyer! All three are long past it. Jewell has hopefully seen the light with the current midfield. I do not want to return to the dark days of the ageing diamond.
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algarvefan added 10:22 - Feb 21 Surprised anyone wants him really, overpaid and although a funny man, we don't need comedians at the moment. Be much better if he buckled down and tried to win back his place at ITFC. If Mc Dermott goes to Wolves then it probably wont happen anyway!
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Southamptonblue added 10:26 - Feb 21 Bullard is an excellent player who we should try to hold on to. There will be times when Hyam or Drury aren't available and he will be a handful for any team when he's deployed as an attacking midfielder (ie not in the holding role).
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PauloJulio added 10:29 - Feb 21 Let him go and that will leave a space free on the bench for Carson or Stevenson. Would they like Ellington as well?
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Langdon_Blue added 10:31 - Feb 21 Yes, loan him out but ONLY on that ridiculous 24hr callback rule, like we have their 'keeper. It would be nice to be on the other end of that agreement, or is just for keepers?
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Monkaz added 10:55 - Feb 21 Pfft no chance Reading ... jog on and find your own quality player.
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legoman added 11:06 - Feb 21 He wants to finish his career playing footy. He wont get any here. We have to be fair to him. He earned that respect last season for me!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 11:57 - Feb 21 I recall having to come on here a few weeks ago after a few people were saying Chopra was a waste of money and past his best!!!. We should keep him as he is the ideal replacement for Drury should he get injured/suspended.
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casanovacrow added 11:59 - Feb 21 18k a week is a lot of money to be sitting on a bench, especially when we have the likes of Stevenson, Bowyer and Carson not even making the squad. Not to mention that we look almost certain for mid table now.
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Lightningboy added 12:09 - Feb 21 If our form continues and we do get to the verge of the play-offs,then we'll need the likes of Jimmy in and around the team to keep up the morale..he's still a quality player on his day & can cover Drury,Hyam,JET & Martin's positions if needed..why let Reading have him? They can take their pick of Leadbitter,Bowyer & Ellington as far as i'm concerned..all 3 preferably.

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Lightningboy added 12:10 - Feb 21 Also agree with Keanish..want to see Stevenson on our bench rather than Leadbitter..bye bye Grant.
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itfc4eva added 12:24 - Feb 21 I dont care if he is 13 or 33, JB is the same player who brings a smile to both the fans and the players. Him and leadbitter are fighting for the team and might be ovi placement if andy or luke get injured. Rather Clegg and jewell went on loan than Jimmy.
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