What Reading FC can expect from Jamie Shackleton amid transfer link with Leeds United star

Reading FC have been linked with a player who could become 'a force' in the Championship were he to join the club.

That's the verdict of Leeds United reporter Beren Cross amid reports linking Whites midfielder Jamie Shackleton with a loan move to Royals.

Paul Ince's side are in desperate need of further midfield reinforcements with a threadbare squad currently at his disposal.

Shackleton, 22, is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in what would be a loan transfer due to Reading's transfer restrictions this summer.

To get more of an idea about what to expect from the Leeds player, here is what Beren from our sister site LeedsLive had to say.

"He’s a hard worker, a terrier, a diminutive box-to-box dynamo who never stops. In his younger years, he was seen as more of a creative playmaker, but we’ve never seen that side to his game in the Leeds first team. He will put his foot in and get up and down the pitch all day. He’s a very handy right-back as well as a central midfielder."

"As above, his work rate and mental attributes have always stood out. Shackleton is determined and he has an engine that never stops. He’s renowned for seeing just about everyone off in the pre-season fitness tests.

"One weakness would be his injury record. Whenever he was getting a run in the team, he would pick up a knock of some kind and lose his momentum. He’s a grafter, but he is on the short side, which has its limitations in some scenarios."

"He’s not currently good enough to start and he’s too ambitious to continue sitting on the fringes of the first team. At 22, he needs to start playing more."

"Yes, I do. He’s well-liked by his team-mates, staff and fans at Leeds. Nobody would have a bad word to say