READING FC are chasing non-league ‘wonderkid’ Billy Whitehouse.

The Chronicle understands Royals have opened negotiations with his club Tadcaster Albion with a view to bringing him to Madejski Stadium.

The 22-year-old winger has been in scintillating form this season with five goals and 10 assists in 18 appearances for the Evo-Stik East outfit.

Royals scouts are believed to have watched the 22-year-old several times and are now hoping to tie up a deal.

Whitehouse, who scored in their 5-1 win at Cleethorpes Town last time out, came through the youth system at his hometown team Doncaster Rovers.

He made his first-team debut in 2014 aged 18 and made 17 appearances before penning a one-year deal with Leeds United where he joined their development squad.

He made only one senior appearance for Leeds and spent a loan spell at Guiseley when they were managed by former Royals defender, Adam Lockwood.

Whitehouse eventually dropped out of league football to join Tadcaster in December 2017 where he has resurrected his career with 17 goals in 25 league games.

He is mostly deployed as a right winger with the Brewers but can play on either flank.

Royals are now hoping to secure Whitehouse’s services for a small fee to boost their options out wide.

Record signing Sone Aluko and Mo Barrow have both failed to live up to expectations this season, with Barrow currently dropped for disciplinary reasons.

Romanian international Adrian Popa is also unavailable while he returns from a long-term injury.