Reading's Conor Lawless has signed a new contract at the club.

The 18-year-old midfielder has penned his future to the club today, and will remain in Berkshire until the summer of 2021.

He's been a prolific member of the U18 and U23 squad since joining the club's academy back in 2018, where he initially signed a two-year scholarship.

Mark Bowen looks to be reinstating an emphasis on youth at Reading. The club was beginning to lose their identity under previous manager Jose Gomes, who was sacked back in October, but Bowen has come in and aside from transforming their season, has been promoting youngsters into the first-team at every chance.

Since his appointment, 17-year-old Jeriel Dorsett has made his first-team debut, featuring as a late substitution in the 2-0 win at Blackpool in the FA Cup earlier in the month.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Gabrial Osho has returned from his loan-spell at Yeovil and featured in Reading's 1-1 draw with Cardiff at the weekend.

The most exciting prospect at the club though is Michael Olise - the 18-year-old Frenchman was in prolific form for the development squad before landing himself in the first-team, and was put in from the start against Nottingham Forest last week.

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Lots of fans were excited by his performance, and many feel he'll go on to achieve big things.

The verdict

Lawless looks like another name who could soon break into Bowen's first-team, and he'd follow in the footsteps of many who've been given the chance this season.

They've a lot of exciting young players now and Bowen has been brave enough to give them their opportunities, and he's been hailed for the decisions since - Olise has really got fans talking, and he signifies the change in mentality that the Welshman has overseen in his short time in charge.