Reading manager Alan Pardew has challenged Shaun Goater to sit on the Manchester City bench for a season or join his developing First Division team by the end of the week.

The Royals boss has given Goater a few more days to think over a move after a fee of around ?600,000 was agreed between the clubs.

Goater, 33, held talks with Reading on Monday and was given a guided tour of the stadium that could become his home this season.

But it is thought Goater's reluctance to sign immediately suggests he may be getting cold feet because his family are not ready to leave the north of England.

However, if the deal falls through Pardew has vowed to turn his attention elsewhere. "We're getting much closer," Pardew said. "We're in the hunt for one player in particular and we're hoping he likes us.

"We've spoken to Shaun this week when he came to the stadium and I did my best to sell him the club.

"But fans have got to remember that he's coming from Manchester City which is some distance away and they now play in what is probably the best new stadium in the country.

"I think he left us with a good feeling about the place and I hope he agrees to accept the challenge ahead."

He added: "We had a fantastic season last year and there's no doubt Shaun would make us stronger again and take us on to another level.

"He knows that he will have to drop his wages to get a new club wherever it might be.

"He's wise enough to appreciate that whereas others don't. He's realistic and he under-stands that we've made him what amounts to a very good offer in Division One terms so it's up to him and his family now.

"He can either sit at Manchester City for a year and take the money or he can come and join a young, progressive side. The ball is in his court."

Meanwhile, Kyle Lightbourne has been told he is not wanted by Kidderminster Harriers. The player had been on trial at the Third Division club and had scored one goal and contributed to others during pre-season friendlies. However, manager Ian Britton said: "Kyle has worked hard since he has been here but I intend to pursue other options instead."

Lightbourne, released by Macclesfield at the end of last season, has already spoken to other clubs and hopes he will be fixed up before the Nationwide League season starts a week on Saturday.

"I won't be staying with Kidderminster. I've had a good couple of games here but now we'll have to see what happens," he told the Express and Star newspaper in the Midlands.

"A few clubs have been in contact with me but there is still a bit of time to go before I have to make any final decisions.

"I would have liked to have stayed because it's local to me, but I understand the way things are in football and I've just got to get on with it.

"The manager has told me it's about his budget, and he can't take all of the players he would want to."

Boss Britton admitted he would have like to have taken on Wilding, Narada and Lightbourne, but already had players at the club or alternatives lined up.