JORDON Mutch has revealed he wants to sign for Reading FC on a permanent basis.

Mutch joined Royals on loan from Crystal Palace on January transfer deadline day and made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut in a 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town.

But with opportunities severely limited under Eagles boss Sam Allardyce, Mutch is keen to make a permanent switch from Selhurst Park to Madejski Stadium when his loan expires at the end of the season.

Mutch, 25, says he turned down a string of offers from rival clubs in order to secure a move to Jaap Stam’s Royals following lengthy talks with director of football Brian Tevreden.

He told the Chronicle: “The manager was a big influence in me coming here. I met with Brian (Tevreden) on a few occasions and I was really excited about what they were doing here.

“I had seen Reading play before this season, I was really excited about the way they play and it was a place that I wanted to come to.”

He also stressed: “I would definitely like to remain here beyond the end of the season, of course we will take it as it goes for now and see where we are at at the end of the season.

“Lots can change between now and then but I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t see myself staying here.”

It is believed there is a clause in Mutch’s loan contract which gives him the option of signing permanently for Reading.

And the ex-Cardiff City midfielder is loving every minute of being part of Stam’s promotion-chasing Royals.

Stam’s men are riding high in fourth place after Tuesday’s nailbiting 3-2 victory against Brentford, and they now boast a healthy nine-point cushion over seventh-placed Norwich City “It was a crazy game,” admitted Mutch. “It was up and down. We could have done better at seeing the game off when we were a goal up.

“We could have been more compact but it was a great win from the boys and another victory where they’ve shown resilience and togetherness to come back and win.

“The personality of the boys that are here, everyone sticks together and everyone gets on. It’s a really tight group with all the players and the coaching staff too.”

Mutch was involved in a spot of controversy on Tuesday night when he appeared to shove Brentford winger Sergi Canos in the box, only for referee Keith Stroud to wave away the Bees’ subsequent penalty appeals.

But Mutch retorted: “He’s pulled me, I was in front of him with the ball. He’s gone down pretty easy, I don’t know what it looked like from the stands but I think he went down too easily.”

Reading are without a fixture this weekend as scheduled opponents Huddersfield Town host Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round.

It means Royals will now travel to the Terriers next Tuesday night for a promotion six-pointer (7.45pm ko).