Championship outfit Reading have made good strides this summer in their quest to rebuild their squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Already recruiting seven players, they are in need of a few more before the season begins if they want to give themselves the best chance of making a quick start to the upcoming term.

Paul Ince's side have been backed for relegation by many and it's not hard to see why, losing John Swift in recent months as well as some of their other first-teamers and finishing in 21st place at the end of the last campaign.

 

 

However, they have enjoyed a reasonably productive pre-season so far, managing to secure wins against the likes of Colchester United and AFC Wimbledon and a draw against established Premier League side West Ham United.

They may have lost against Benfica as well - but things have been largely positive at the Select Car Leasing Stadium despite the obvious need for at least a few more additions before the summer window closes.

And with their opening game against Blackpool coming up in just over a week, we take a look at the strong 11 Ince can field against Michael Appleton's side as they look to win all three points.

Although Dean Bouzanis put in a good performance against Wimbledon on Tuesday evening, it feels as though Ince will go with Joe Lumley at this stage and you can't blame him considering the latter has more experience in the second tier.

In central defence, Scott Dann has to come in if he's fit as a player that has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt and looked good at times last season, though question marks remain over his fitness.

New signing Sam Hutchinson also starts after impressing during the pre-season period and Tom Holmes comes in alongside him as the third centre-back, though the Royals would probably benefit from having a faster player in the back three at some point.

Captain Andy Yiadom, meanwhile, has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Keeping him in Berkshire was a major positive for the second-tier outfit and arguably their best bit of business in recent months.

Unsurprisingly, it's the two new midfield additions that start in the middle of the park, with Tyrese Fornah able to sit back, potentially enabling Jeff Hendrick to push forward and be a threat in the final third.

Already scoring twice in pre-season, the Republic of Ireland international is proving to be a real asset going forward and he will be hoping to continue in the same vein after enduring a poor spell at Queens Park Rangers last term.

Ovie Ejaria needs to be played centrally and takes up a more advanced position in midfield after disappointing on the wing in recent seasons. The ex-Liverpool man is wasted out wide, so he needs to be kept in the middle at all costs.

Whether they can operate up front effectively together remains to be seen - but Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite could score 30 goals combined for the Royals during 2022/23 if they can remain fit and in form.