Reading FC backed to offload attacker this month - 'it would make sense' | OneFootball

Reading have been backed to send loan player Mark O'Mahony back to his parent club Brighton.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Reading could send on-loan player Mark O'Mahony back to his parent club, Brighton, in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old has made just five starts for the Royals in League One this term, and has not made an appearance since his cameo as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United last month.

O'Mahony has struggled to earn minutes for Leam Richardson's men, amid strong competition from fellow striker Jack Marriott, who has scored eight goals in 14 third-tier appearances.

Richardson has steered Reading to four wins in their last five games, which has seen the Berkshire club become a strong playoff contender in a tight League One table.

Reading backed to send Mark O'Mahony back to Brighton amid lack of game time

The Ireland Under-21 international scored for the Royals in their FA Cup first round defeat to non-league Carlisle United in November, but he has struggled to make an impact ever since.

When asked if it would make sense for his club to terminate O'Mahony's loan spell, Football League World's Reading fan pundit, Johnny Hunt, said: "I feel sorry for O'Mahony to a point, he ended up having to start a lot of the games at the start of the season, which ended up putting a lot of pressure on him, until Marriott came in.

"He never looked like a lead striker. He's a young lad, he's still learning his trade. He's a bench player at best, and it's not worked out for him. He needs game time at his age. I don't think he's ready to get 90 minutes a week with us by a long shot.

"I think it would make sense for him to go back and maybe move elsewhere, a different team. We need players that are going to be pushing for first-team starts and putting pressure on the likes of Marriott, whether it's the loan market or permanent transfers.

"I think it's best for both parties that he moves on, so we're able to use that loan position for a person that's going to be providing more competition."

Mark O'Mahony exit could help Leam Richardson in the transfer market

Richardson has galvanised Reading since taking over from former boss Noel Hunt in October, with the Berkshire club now appearing likely to trouble the likes of Stockport County in the race for a top-six spot.

January marks the 46-year-old's first transfer window as Royals boss, so he will look to have a strong impact in the market.

As alluded to by Johnny, terminating O'Mahony's spell at the Select Car Leasing Stadium would allow Richardson to bring in another loan signing, who could perhaps suit his side's needs better.

Richardson proved his capabilities at League One level when he lifted the third-tier title with his former club, Wigan Athletic, in 2022 and exciting times may now be on the horizon for his current employers.