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As of this morning we are just sixteen days away from January, a month that could define Reading's season.

It's a month which will see so many questions answered and will tell us all just how determined the club is to return to the Premier League.

Ever since the disappointing end to the summer transfer window, Nigel Adkins has spoken about staying 'in the race' until January and then kicking on.

Well, we're almost there now and Reading are sitting fifth in the table, eight points adrift of leaders Queens Park Rangers.

They are very much 'in the race' but the first month of 2014 will determine whether they stay there.

Adkins will clearly want to strengthen his squad once the transfer window opens on January 1st but the question is, will he be given the funds to do what he wants?

Anton Zingarevich has not been seen since way back in September and obviously missed the deadline to complete his full takeover from Sir John Madejski later that month.

The line that has come out of Reading ever since is that both parties are 'comfortable' with the situation but the Russian's continued absence from the country is going to make things anything but comfortable for the club as January approaches.

There are situations that have to be dealt and how they pan out will have a massive impact on the second half of Reading's season.

Billy Sharp's loan deal from Southampton is due to expire and the frontman expressed his desire to stay after his match winning strike against Huddersfield on Saturday.

Sharp has made a real impact in recent weeks having regained his fitness and his experience will be key if Royals are to return to the top flight.

But a player of Sharp's quality will not come cheap, his high wages were the reason it took so long to get his initial loan spell completed.

Adkins certainly wants to keep him so it will be telling if the striker is allowed to head back to St Mary's.

Then we have Chris Baird. The midfielder's short term contract is also up in January and that is something that needs to be resolved.

The Northern Ireland international has had a decent start to his time at Madejski Stadium although his performances did dip slightly before he picked up the ankle injury which has seen him sidelined for the past few weeks.

But he brings a huge amount of experience with him and can play in a number of positions across midfield and defence. Like Sharp, the decision to extend his stay should be a no brainer.

For me, however, the defining decision Reading may have to make in January could be about Alex McCarthy.

The impressive young keeper has been nothing short of superb this season and his performances will have not gone unnoticed in the top flight.

Newcastle and Southampton are just two clubs who have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old.

A big money January bid for McCarthy would come as no surprise but Reading must resist, however tempting.

Some might say, given the financial restraints which seem to be hampering Adkins, selling McCarthy could give the Reading boss a chance to strengthen his squad ahead of the second half of the campaign.

I'm not having that at all. No matter who would come in, Reading would be weaker without McCarthy in my eyes.

That's nothing against Adam Federici who has already proved he is an excellent keeper, but McCarthy is just on another level. How he is not in the England squad is beyond me.

He must have already won Reading around 12 points this season. His display against Huddersfield on Saturday is a prime example.

Had it not been for McCarthy, Royals would have lost that game instead of walking away 1-0 victors.

His shot stopping is superb, but his handling under pressure is what sets him apart.

The win up at Derby springs to mind as an example. Cruising at 2-0, Royals suddenly found themselves under pressure after Will Hughes had pulled one back for the home side.

Cross after cross was sent into a packed penalty area but every single time, McCarthy was there standing tall.

Time and time again Derby were frustrated and in the end Reading broke to seal the win with a late Nick Blackman strike.

McCarthy will go on to be England's first choice keeper in my eyes and if Reading don't go up this season, I will have no problem with the club allowing him to move on in the summer.

But it can't be allowed to happen before that. Reading must stay firm amid any interest which may come their way next month, whatever the price.

Royals are approaching January 'in the race', but if McCarthy moves on, they will end up in May as one of the also-rans.