Reading are due to a decision concerning their potential points deduction "very soon", according to journalist Alan Nixon. 

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Derby County had been handed a second penalty from the EFL, meaning they have been deducted 21 points this season and are currently bottom with -3 after 17 games.

It seems confirmation concerning the Royals' punishment for breaching financial rules is set to follow as Nixon has reported they will find out their fate "very soon".

Reports elsewhere indicated earlier in November that Reading are likely to be handed a nine-point deduction with a further three-point deduction suspended, which it is said must be applied this season.

That would leave Veljko Paunović's side on 13 points from 17 games and mean they drop from 16th in the Championship table to inside the relegation zone in 22nd – two points adrift of safety.

Assuming the predicted penalty is correct, the Royals' first chance to move out of the bottom three looks set to come against Nottingham Forest at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday.

The Verdict

Obviously, the points deduction is going to be a huge blow for Reading but it's good news that they'll know their fate soon as they don't want things dragging on any longer.

Knowing exactly where they stand will allow the Royals to move forward and set targets for what they need to do as the current campaign wears on.

Even if the punishment is a nine-point deduction that's applied this season, you feel Paunović's side should have more than enough to avoid relegation to League One in 2021/22.

It doesn't seem likely to be the death sentence that Derby's 21-point deduction is, which is certainly a silver lining for the Championship club.