Reading are 'braced for late interest' in Saturday's match-winner Harvey Knibbs, according to reports in the national media.

Knibbs, who scored an 89th-minute winner over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, is now the club's top scorer following the exit of striker Sam Smith to Wrexham on Friday.

With the winter window closing at 11pm on Monday (tomorrow), the club are hoping to keep hold of the squad to continue to mount a push for the play-offs.

Rumoured had linked Knibbs was an exit earlier in the month, and with less than 48 hours remaining the link has returned to the fore.

Jack Rosser of the Sun has said: "Reading braced for late interest in Harvey Knibbs, who scored their winner against Bolton yesterday. A number of Championship clubs considering a move before tomorrow's deadline."

Knibbs, who was extremely close to Smith at Reading and previous club Cambridge United, spoke of his disappointment at seeing his friend depart.

"I’m absolutely gutted. The relationship I had with Sam, on and off the pitch, and how vital he is for us as a team and a focal point. I think Jayden did excellently, coming in on such short notice today, but Sam is a big miss. Given the situation, you can’t really blame anyone for seeking an opportunity or a project that is trying to go forward. It is unfortunate but we look to have a solution as soon as possible."

Discussing the window and the chance of any more departures, Knibbs added: "We all know what the situation is at the club, and no one knows what is going to happen in the next 48 hours. I hope we can stay together and make that play-off push but it’s not in our control. We will have to see."