With Alan Pardew now free to join West Ham United, Reading striker Shaun Goater might be keeping his fingers crossed that Kevin Dillon gets the boss' job on a full-time basis.

For, like Pardew, first team coach Dillon would appear to be a fan of the Bermudian frontman and if he does become the Royals' new manager then Goater's place in the first team would be more secure than it might otherwise be if a fresh face was brought in.

Pardew, whose singled-minded determination led to Goater joining Reading from Manchester City in the summer, was yesterday freed to join West Ham on October 18. The announcement came after Reading opted not to seek a court injunction that, if granted, would have stopped him taking over at their Division One rivals.

Under the deal brokered yesterday, Pardew can join the Hammers after a month's "gardening leave" and Reading will get ?380,000 into the bargain.

"I'd like to send a message to the Reading fans thanking them for support and help in my period as manager," Pardew said outside the courts.

"I think I've left a legacy that will continue to grow and I believe Kevin Dillon would be the right choice to take them forward."

Speaking on the English soccer channel Sky Sports this week, Goater also threw his weight behind Dillon, saying he believed he was doing a good job following Pardew's shock resignation.

The respect would appear mutual.

In an interview with BBC Radio Berkshire last week Dillon said he believed the acquisition of Goater was proof the club was going places.

"I think potentially Reading could be as big as West Ham," he said. "I know people will scoff and laugh and all that and people from London will say ` ah you stupid Northerner, what you talking about'. But you look at this stadium and we fill (it) now.

"The attendance is up, season ticket sales are up, we're bringing in players like Shaun Goater and Scott Murray - international players. The opposition are losing players and we're on the up, I think."

Earlier this season Dillon singled Goater out for special praise following his two goals in the 3-0 victory over Wimbledon.

"Shaun Goater had his best performance of the season," he said. "He looked fitter and sharper and he took his goals well and could have had a hat-trick."

While there are many things still to be worked out, one sure thing is that Pardew will not be seeking to take anyone, Goater included, with him to Upton Park. It is believed that an agreement was reached between the two clubs barring him from any attempt at luring his former players to East London.

"There won't be any staff leaving, which is a triumph for us," said Reading chairman John Madejski last night. "Football is a team effort so I'm delighted with that outcome and we're going to have to build on that."

As for who will replace Pardew, Madejski refused to be drawn.

"Obviously, we will be making announcements in the very near future about the way forward now we know Alan Pardew is no longer an active manager here," he said.

"We've got some important games coming up and the last thing I want to do is be drawn on specifics of how we move forward from now on. Suffice to say Kevin Dillon has done a good job, as have (backroom staff) Brian McDermott, Niall Clark and Nick Hammond, so there are a lot of people doing well, and of course the squad, who have reacted very well in difficult circumstances."

That will no doubt please Goater, who currently has four goals to his credit since joining the Royals in the summer. Although he was booked and substituted after being unable to add to his tally in the midweek win over Cardiff, he will be confident of retaining his spot alongside Nicky Forster when Reading take on Coventry on Saturday.

As for Pardew he's simply looking forward to starting his new job.

"I'm delighted I'm going to be West Ham manager," he said. "I know we face a tough task and need to get back into the Premiership. It's a daunting challenge - but I'm looking forward to it."

"It's not a decision I made quickly or rashly. It has been a hard, tortuous time but I could not get out of my mind the history and tradition of West Ham - and the attraction of being their ninth manager since the war was something I could not turn down.

"I'm pleased with what I had at Reading - I had some great moments there - but I'm pleased to be the West Ham manager now."