Shaun Goater has been given until the end of the week to decide if he wants to move to Reading, writes Matt Westcott.

The Manchester City striker had talks at the Madejski Stadium on Monday about a move away from Manchester City and the First Division club's boss Alan Pardew said yesterday: "I would like some indication from Shaun by the end of the week."

The manager also warned that he would not be kept waiting with the new season just around the corner.

"We need players of quality to take us to the next level. Hopefully, it will be Shaun but if not we'll get another top player," he said.

Pardew had earlier described the opening round of discussions as encouraging but insisted there was work to be done before a deal was struck.

"We've got a financial agreement pretty much in place, but Shaun and his family have got strong roots in Manchester now, so leaving the area would be a big wrench for them," he said.

"He had a good look around and you can only be impressed by the facilities we have in place here."

Goater, 33, told City boss Kevin Keegan he wanted to leave the Premiership side at the end of last season after it was made clear he would not be the first choice striker at the club.