Shaun Goater was left wondering yesterday if he will ever play for Reading again after the club signed ex-England international Les Ferdinand.

The 38-year-old joined the League Championship team on a free transfer from Premier League outfit Bolton whom he left last week.

The move was an even greater signal that coach Steve Coppell has no use for the Bermudian marksman despite worries about his team's lack of attacking potency.

Coppell's decision to woo Ferdinand rather than to bring Goater - whom he has already said can go out on loan - off the bench intensified speculation that the latter, who has played 48 times for the Royals, is really a victim of a contractual snag.

It is understood that a clause in Goater's contract stipulates Reading would have to make a substantial payment to Manchester City - Goater's former club - if he hits 50 appearances for his current team.

As for landing Ferdinand, who is still an effective goalscorer and could have a big impact in the League Championship, Coppell hailed his new striker “a tremendous player”.

“I hope he will help boost our goalscoring capabilities and act as a catalyst for the whole team at this crucial time of the season,” Coppell said on the club's website.

Ferdinand has also played for Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham, Newcastle, West Ham and Leicester.

“I am highly delighted to welcome Les Ferdinand as a Reading player. He is without doubt one of the greatest English strikers of the last decade and his goalscoring record speaks for itself,” said Royals chairman John Madejski.