Reading are reportedly planning to move quickly in replacing Steve Clarke by appointing Nigel Pearson as their new manager.
Clarke is expected to be confirmed as Fulham boss at some stage today after cancelling his weekly Madejski Stadium press conference.
Should the 52-year-old's switch to West London be completed by this evening, then it is suggested by The Sun that a replacement - thought to be Pearson - could be brought in before Saturday's match against Bolton Wanderers.
The ex-Leicester City chief earned promotion from the Championship two seasons ago with the Foxes, while also pulling off the ultimate great escape in the Premier League last term before losing his job.
However, the same report claims that Pearson will have to appoint a new team of backroom staff due to his former coaches retaining their jobs at Leicester under the watch of Claudio Ranieri.
Lee Clark, John Carver and Alan Curbishley have also been linked with the Fulham job, which has been vacant since Kit Symons was sacked earlier this month.
