Reading have always been proudly associated with the development of youngsters and introducing talented academy players into the first team picture.

The current first team squad has a number of academy products.

Jake Cooper and Jordan Obita are two current first team regulars who progressed through the youth ranks with Reading and established themselves in the first team squad.

Reading have also produced plenty of players who were in Reading's first team or proved to be a success elsewhere.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is the most notable name but Alex Pearce, James Henry, Hal Robson-Kanu, Simon Cox, Simon Church, Michael Hector, Ben Hamer, Aaron Tshibola, Jem Karacan, Nathan Tyson and Alex McCarthy are just a select few names to make the step up to Reading's first team before moving on.

Others such as Charlie Austin and Connor Wickham never made it to Reading's first team but spent some time on the Royals' books as youth players.

It is clear that youth production is a key part of Reading's plans and there are many waiting in the wings for a first team opportunity.

Here are the THREE players who you might expect to see playing for Reading's senior team in the near future...

 

Tennai Watson

Young right back Tennai Watson has featured twice for Reading in the league this season and three more times in the cup.

The 19-year-old can play on either side as a full back and might get his breakthrough chance soon considering that Chris Gunter is not performing well.

Watson is a solid defender who can also get forward and create chances.

Andrija Novakovich

Reading are lacking a top striker and there are rumours that Jaap Stam is not a fan of Dominic Samuel so perhaps Andrija Novakovich could be given a go.

The 20-year-old is a 6'4'' target man who has been handed a couple of first team chances from the bench before.

The United States youth international will be hoping to make a name for himself in England.

Liam Kelly

Liam Kelly has flirted with the first team this season and has made two cup appearances.

The 20-year-old midfielder was replaced after a clash of heads in one of the games but hopes to get back into the side after impressing Stam during pre-season.

The young Irishman is considered one of Reading's most promising players and he is on the verge of a first team breakthrough.