Crystal Palace midfielder moves to Reading

Championship promotion-chasers Reading have this afternoon confirmed on their official website the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Jordon Mutch on loan for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old did not start a Premier League game for Palace in the first half of the season, and only made four substitute appearances in the league for the Eagles, which totalled just 50 minutes of action.

With just four other appearances in the cup competitions, it was clear that the midfielder was a surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park, and the arrival of new manager Sam Allardyce didn’t appear to change that.

But now Mutch will get the opportunity of first team football in the Championship with Reading, who are hoping to win promotion back to the Premier League four years after being relegated from the top-flight.

The 25-year-old has played 192 times in his club career thus far, with his experience at Birmingham City and Cardiff particularly useful to Reading given that he helped the latter win promotion to the Premier League back in 2013, and indeed was on the books when Birmingham were in the top-flight between 2009 and 2011.

Jaap Stam’s Royals are third in the Championship having won 16 of their 28 matches this season, and they trail second place Newcastle by six points ahead of their trip to Birmingham City this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

Mutch won’t be eligible to play against his former club tonight, yet he’s sure to be in contention to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.