Royals set to sign Sheppard

Sky Sports understands that Championship side Reading are lining up a move for Shamrock Rovers striker Karl Sheppard.

Royals line-up move for Irish starlet

Sky Sports understands that Championship side Reading are lining up a move for Shamrock Rovers striker Karl Sheppard. The 20-year-old was one of the standout players in the club's Europa League run this season, scoring against PAOK Salonika in one of the few highlights of their campaign. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 International spent three years at Everton as a trainee before signing his first professional contract for Galway United. He was soon spotted by League of Ireland champions Rovers and picked up his first senior trophy after winning the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup. And now Royals' boss Brian McDermott is keen to bring Sheppard to the Madejski Stadium where he hopes the talented youngster can follow in the footsteps of the club's previous successful Irish imports such as Kevin Doyle and Shane Long.