READING could be among the front runners to sign Andrew Surman next month, writes ADAM LEITCH.

The Daily Echo understands that Saints’ Championship rivals are interested in the 22-year-old, who missed his first league game of the season against the Royals at St Mary’s last Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Reading were keen on Surman back in the summer, targeting him to play at left-back following the departure of Nicky Shorey to Aston Villa.

But Royals boss Steve Coppell instead signed Sheffield United’s Chris Armstrong to play in that role after a series of transfers that would have funded a potential bid for Surman fell through.

Surman – a locally-raised lad who would not have to move away from his family and friends were he to sign for the Berkshire club – had ended last season playing at left back under Nigel Pearson and earning impressive reviews.

He also started this season in that position under Jan Poortvliet, but was moved to his usual midfield position in September and is currently the club’s second top scorer with five goals.

Birmingham were also monitoring Surman back in the early part of the season, while Stoke have previously been linked with a move for him.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, though, is believed to be ready to bid over £6m for Cardiff’s left sided Welsh international Joe Ledley this month, and if successful would be unlikely to want to shell out on Surman as well.

Along with Surman, Adam Lallana remains Saints’ most bankable asset Saints successfully fought off an approach from Fulham for the playmaker last summer, and the Daily Echo understands the Cottagers have since cooled their interest.

The Londonders, however, are continuing to monitor Lallana’s form.

Spurs have also been linked with Lallana in recent months, and speculation has grown since Harry Redknapp arrived at White Hart Lane and brought in his former Saints coach Kevin Bond.

Bond took Lallana to Bournemouth on loan in his time as Cherries boss last season.

Redknapp, though, will almost certainly be looking to make several high profile – and therefore big money – signings during the January window.

Will signing a young player from a struggling Championship club be high on his priority list in the next few weeks?