David Mooney would pick Colchester United move

Mooney scored a brace in Saturday's 4-3 FA Cup win over Bradford

David Mooney has revealed Colchester United would be his first choice if he were to leave Reading permanently.

Mooney, 26, is three months into a six-month loan deal at the U's and has found the net eight times in 18 games.

"You want to stay and be a part of a promotion winning team, my fiancée loves it here," he told BBC Essex.

"We have a really good team so there'd be no reason why I wouldn't stay. I said to the manager if he could do it I'd be willing to listen."

The Irishman has failed to make an impression at the Royals since joining from Cork in 2008, with all four of his first-team appearances coming in the League Cup.

606: DEBATE

I can tell you now categorically we won't be buying Mooney in January, if he stays it'll be because his loan has been extended until the end of the season...

colu_mike

The majority of Mooney's football in England has come during loan spells, having been shipped out to Stockport, Norwich, Charlton and now John Ward's Colchester.

"You don't want to keep on moving all the time because it does upset you," Mooney added.

"If I could get settled somewhere I'm sure I could reap the benefits on the pitch as well as off.

"Hopefully things can happen but it's up to Reading at the other end to see what they decide."