Brian McDermott has insisted that he tried to bring players in at Reading during the January transfer window.

The former Royals manager was fired last month, with the club's owner citing a lack of signings as part of the reason for the dismissal.

McDermott, who is now in charge of Leeds United, told the Daily Mail: "I know the owner said I didn't buy any players in January, but we couldn't agree fees for Thomas Ince at Blackpool and Gylfi Sigurdsson at Spurs. We made big offers for them.

"If I had been here a couple of games earlier you never know, but I was brought in with the brief to make sure we didn't get relegated. All I know is that I have had the backing from the owners GFH Capital to make the changes I want at the club to get promoted.

"At Reading we had players who could hurt teams and I want the same at Leeds. This club is proper."

McDermott's Leeds side face Birmingham City this afternoon.