Speaking to Get Reading, Jaap Stam has conceded that Reading need to bring in more players if they are to challenge for the top-six in the Sky Bet Championship.

Stam did exceptionally well during the 2016/17 season, leading Reading to third after the regular season and then to the play-off final, where they suffered a disappointing penalty shootout defeat to Huddersfield Town.

The Royals started the 2017/18 campaign disappointingly, losing 2-0 to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Stam has now conceded that Reading will have to bolster their squad between now and the end of the summer, to give themselves the best possible chance of a top-six finish.

The Dutchman gave an update on Reading’s search for reinforcements, he said: “Hopefully it is going to happen - we are still working on it. We need extra players in the squad.

"If you want to grow you need to look at the people you have and decide whether you need to bring people in to make that step even quicker.

"We're not one of the teams that can say we will win the league or go up through the play-offs. We still need to be very modest in how we are as a club.

"We did very well last season but that's no guarantee for this season. We are not there yet, we still need to develop a lot to say we can now compete every time for a top six spot.”

So far this summer Reading have made a number of impressive signings, with Pelle Clement, Vito Mannone, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Mo Barrow all joining the club.

The quartet made their debuts in Reading’s defeat to QPR on Saturday, and will be hoping to get a first taste of Championship action at the Madejski Stadium over the next week, with Stam’s side hosting Fulham and Aston Villa on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

Reading will be heading into those back-to-back home fixtures with a victory under their belt, after a weakened side beat Gillingham 2-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.

The Verdict

The squad Stam has available to him is not dissimilar to the squad that went within a penalty shootout of the Premier League, and should still be challenging for the top-six in May.

However, Stam will want to make sure Reading do not fall short for a second year running, and will want to strengthen numerous areas of his squad between now and the end of the summer.

The Royals remain in need of a striker to compete with Bodvarsson and last season’s top goalscorer, Yann Kermorgant.

Reading fans… Let us know your thoughts!