Reading FC’s slide towards the bottom of the Championship table has been a difficult watch for those associated with the Berkshire-based side, with the Royals’ status as a second-tier side put into serious jeopardy under the stewardship of Jaap Stam.

However, with the Dutchman gone and former Derby County boss Paul Clement now at the helm, fans will begin to believe that a turnaround could be on the cards in the closing weeks of the season.

The club’s form and tricky fixtures mark them as one of the favourites for the drop and Clement has it all to do before he can even begin to consider the summer transfer window and the changes he would like to make to his adopted squad.

If he pulls off the remarkable and keeps Reading up this season, then this trio could be under consideration for the chop, although perhaps Clement shouldn’t sharpen his axe too quickly with loans deals having the potential to revive their chances of a Madejski future…

The young full-back was touted as the next big thing to come out of the Reading academy but has struggled for appearances this year, with just a handful to his name under Stam.

Richards will hope to have impressed his new boss in training during the international break to begin to challenge for a regular role in the side but should he be deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the new season then a loan spell appears extremely likely.

Able to cut it at this level, second tier sides would surely show an interest in taking the promising the player on a temporary basis, in a move that could hep the 20-year-old rediscover his feet.

The Dutchman has thus far failed to make a mark during his time at the club and could be one of those in contention to leave when the clear out begins.

However, at just twenty-one, Clement has time to evolve into the player Stam had hoped he would become and a loan deal elsewhere in the English game is exactly what the youngster needs to begin to adapt to the demands of English football.

A similar situation is evolving at Leeds United with another Dutchman in Jay-Roy Grot, with both players in need of a League One deal to acquire the experience of the British game needed to succeed at such a competitive level.

Clement could prove deadly if given a chance in the third tier.

Royals fans, thoughts?