CRUZ CONTROL Royals make defensive signings

Reading have added some much needed cover to our defensive ranks with a couple of signings at the tail end of the week before the transfer window is nailed shut. Ulises De La Cruz - most recently with Aston Villa - joins us on that perennial RFC favourite, the free transfer. Having played every minute of Ecuador's world cup campaign which ended with defeat to England in the second round, De La Cruz at least has the know how at the top level and can supply cover on the right side. Meanwhile, Andre Bikey - him of the headbutt in Sweden - joins us on a season long loan from Lokomotiv Moscow and we can only hope that he has cleaned up his act.