Shaun Goater could be set for a sensational switch to promotion-chasing Ipswich Town.

The striker only joined Reading last summer for a fee in the region of ?500,000 but he is being targeted by their First Division rivals and, in particular, manager Joe Royle who refers to him as his "favourite son".

Alan Pardew signed the 6ft 1in frontman but then left to join West Ham shortly after and it is fair to say his replacement, Steve Coppell, is not Goater's biggest fan.

However, Royle, who wants the 33-year-old initially on loan for three months, is a big admirer of his, having been the man to take Goater to Manchester City in 1998 and the two are still good friends.

Goater told yesterday that he was aware of the interest, but, as yet, it was only that and until something concrete came about he was committed to Reading's cause.

However, this newspaper understands that a conclusion one way or the other will probably come in the next 24 to 48 hours and before Reading welcome Derby County to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday sees the fourth round of the FA Cup in England and whereas Reading are out, Ipswich are not and face Sunderland. As Goater has already played in the competition for the Berkshire side he would be ineligible to play for Ipswich should a move arise.

The player, who has hit seven goals this season for the Royals in league and cup and has made 20 appearances, was in the team that drew 1-1 at Portman Road with the Tractor Boys two weeks ago and had a brief conversation with Royle ? though Goater insisted the possibility of a move was never mooted.

Royle, whose team are fifth in the table compared to ninth-placed Reading, confirmed yesterday he had made an enquiry about Goater's availability but would not divulge much additional information.

"There has been dialogue between myself and (Reading boss) Steve Coppell about Shaun but he is not the only player we have enquired about," Royle said.

In an interview hours earlier with the Ipswich-based the manager said he hoped a signing would be made in the next couple of days.

"I don't want to give anything away about who we're chasing, because it might alert other clubs," he said at the time. "It would be difficult to guess whom I'm after anyway. If I did get the new signing this week, he still wouldn't be available for the cup game, because he has to be registered seven days in advance."

Coppell, meanwhile, was somewhat brusque when he was asked about the situation.

"A private conversation between managers should remain private," was all he would say.

Goater was a little bit more forthcoming, albeit without revealing too much about what may or may not transpire.

"I am flattered because he (Royle) and Will Donachie (assistant coach), more than anyone, were the most influential in my career and helped make me as well-known as I was with City," he told this newspaper. "Joe Royle brought me to the club and gave me that opportunity and I am flattered to know that he is interested in me.

"But at the moment I am a Reading player and all my focus is with them."

Referring to the conversation he had with Royle during the league clash, Goater said it was just a matter of old friends passing each other by in a corridor.

"Just before I walked down the tunnel to go to the dressing room (after the game) he just said 'hey, my favourite son,' just jokingly," he said. "I said 'well done to your boys' because I thought they had played well and just added 'keep up the good work, all the best' and that the conversation."

While disagreeing that such transfer talk could serve to unsettle a player, Goater said it would have some impact on him.

"All it will do is let me know what my situation is with the club," he said. "There is a time when you are at a club that you know that you are not for sale and you are not available for a loan. There was a time when I was at Manchester City when there was no way I was going on loan and no way I was being sold, but if a club lets you go home to consider this sort of option that would tell me they were thinking about my importance to the team.

"He (Royle) has had the conversation and what has been in the paper is as much as I know about it. I can only say I am flattered and if he approaches me then I will answer the question, but other than that I am a Reading player and I am just focused on that."