Reading's pre-season is in full swing at the moment, with the kit launch imminent, new signings to be made and younger players being given a chance out in Spain on the club's pre-season tour.

The Royals will be desperate to improve on their final league places in the past two seasons, after being in a fierce relegation battle in both of those campaigns.

Although there's optimism for the upcoming campaign because of the performances of some of the younger players this pre-season, there's no doubt that Reading will need a number of signings if they are to climb their way up the Championship table.

After a 10-0 win against Gilbraltar United and a recent 1-0 win against Spanish second division side Extremadura, Reading's only loss of the pre-season so far was against former Europa League winners Sevilla, losing narrowly by 2-1. Reading actually took a 1-0 lead in that game.

There's a lot of things that the club can take from this tour and will be helpful to Gomes in his preparations for the new campaign.

Here's three things that we've learnt about Reading so far in pre-season.

Walker and Virginia will fight for the number one jersey

Reading's only signing of the summer so far is Everton's goalkeeper Joao Virginia. This loan deal sees the 19-year-old Portuguese player remain at the Madejski Stadium until the end of the 2019/20 season.

However, the goalkeeper is yet to play senior professional football and this signing could be classed as a bit of a gamble, although the manager has seemingly put his faith in the young stopper.

Sam Walker has performed well this pre-season and is likely to fight for the number one jersey with Virginia.

Either player would be very frustrated if they are stuck on the bench this season.

Faith is being put in to the younger players

A lot of the players that have travelled on Reading's pre-season tour are youngsters from Reading's U23 side.

Tom McIntyre and Teddy Howe have featured heavily for the Royals in the first team defence. Although Howe is likely to be second choice now with Andy Yiadom's return from the AFCON, this is great experience for the young fullback.

Michael Olise has also played a big part for the Royals in the pre-season tour so far, signing a new contract that sees him extend his stay at the Madejski Stadium under 2022.

Jordan Holsgrove and Ryan East are currently providing the squad depth that the Royals need in central midfield, although Gomes will ideally want to bring in some senior defensive midfield players to strengthen that area.

With new signings eluding the club at this moment in time, Reading are increasingly reliant on their younger players ahead of the first league game against Sheffield Wednesday in early August. Whether this works out well for the club remains to be seen.

Meite is likely to be deployed on the wing

Yakou Meite arrived at Reading as a winger from PSG and was used in that position under former Reading manager Jaap Stam in the 2016/17 season.

Even at a younger age, Meite was a useful option to have on the bench for the Royals. His talent was clear for all to see.

After a loan out in Sochaux in the 2017/18 season, Meite was given a chance last season to show what he could do under Paul Clement.

One of the only upsides of Clement's reign at the Madejski Stadium was the emergence of Meite. He scored many goals last season as a striker under both Clement and Gomes.

However, Meite has been played as more of a winger on Reading's pre-season tour in Spain.

Danny Loader or Andrija Novakovich have been used as strikers in pre-season and another forward could arrive before transfer deadline day.

This could push Meite back out on to the wing.