Will Keane is unlikely to return to Reading next season after his loan spell, potentially leaving the striker without a club heading into the summer.

The Irish forward was sent to the Royals midway through the campaign by Preston North End, with Paul Heckingbottom preferring a rotation of Milutin Osmajic, Daniel Jebbison and Lewis Dobbin at Deepdale.

Richardson Reaches Keane Verdict

It has been a tough season in League One for the 33-year-old forward, who had previously played under Leam Richardson at Wigan Athletic during their promotion-winning campaign in 2022.

Keane has only featured 14 times in Berkshire since his arrival, scoring twice, and has recently found himself on the fringes amid injury struggles and the emergence of Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan as a consistent option spearheading the attack.

Speaking to the Reading Chronicle about Keane’s chances of returning to the club beyond this season, alongside fellow loanee Ryan Nyambe, Richardson said:

“I think when they’re not your players you’ve got to be respectful.

“I think Ryan’s still under contract at Derby, I think Will’s contract whether he has an option or not is in his favour at Preston, but I’m sure they’ll exercise whenever they feel fit, and we’ll thank them for the time.

“Both very good people, been really good around the dressing room, so we’ll wish them well and see what happens.

“(On if they would return to the club) I wouldn’t have thought so.”

Keane looks set to also depart his parent club at the end of this season, having seemingly said goodbye to the Lilywhites in a social media post upon his move to Reading.

Veteran Forward Could Earn Suitors

Will Keane looks to be heading into the free agent market in the summer, with Reading opting to move on and look elsewhere to recruit in the upcoming transfer window and having seemingly said farewell to Preston.

The 33-year-old is by no means one of League One‘s most prolific strikers, but will certainly feel he can offer a lot more if he can overcome recent injury struggles with a proper pre-season under his belt.

Multiple League One clubs are in need of a consistent striker option in their ranks, and one potential destination which could suit the Irishman is Barnsley.

The Tykes, heading into an uncertain future after Conor Hourihane’s impending exit, have failed to adequately replace Davis Keillor-Dunn and with David McGoldrick also on the verge of departing Oakwell, the club will need to overhaul their striking options.

Keane offers a free alternative solution to Barnsley’s needs after their admission they will have a reduced budget going forward and should be able to cover the experience left when both McGoldrick and Oxford United loanee Tom Bradshaw leave South Yorkshire come the end of the month.