Last season Reading Football Club narrowly missed out on a place in the Premier League, losing to Huddersfield Town on penalties in the Championship Play-Off Final after a superb domestic campaign under boss Jaap Stam.

Fast forward just shy of a year and Stam has recently departed to be replaced by ex-Derby boss Paul Clement and he has eight games left to save Reading's Championship status at the wrong end of the second tier.

It is vital that Clement hits the ground running if the Royals are to have any chance of avoiding the drop into League One with the club just three points above the bottom three.

The summer looks like being a time for some serious rebuilding for the club's new manager regardless of the league they will play in and FLW writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three free agents who could be useful signings for the Royals ahead of next season.

The Sheffield United man has been in fine form for the Blades this season but with his contract winding down the club must be getting slightly nervous regarding his future.

Duffy is hard working beyond belief and his work rate would make for a useful tool for Clement and the Royals ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

It could seem somewhat ludicrous to even suggest the concept that the Portuguese sensation might rock up at Reading next season but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Clement tap into his stellar contact book.

The youngster has had a woeful season in the Premier League at Swansea City and a drop into the Championship under Clement next season might be just the move he needs to kick-start his career once again.

The long-serving Middlesbrough captain could end his long association for the North East club during the summer and his experience would be a brilliant attribute for Reading.

The middle of the park has been something of a problem area for Reading this season and Leadbitter would ensure a steely resolve is added to the team.

Reading fans, would you welcome these players to the club? Let us know in the comments below!!!!