It's fair to say that Lewis Gibson's loan spell with Championship side Reading hasn't been the one that he would have hoped for so far this season. 

The defender signed for the Royals on loan during the summer transfer window to add much-needed depth to Veljko Paunovic's defensive options this term.

The Reading boss has often started Liam Moore and Michael Morrison in the heart of the defence for this year's campaign, which is unsurprising given that the Berkshire-based side have started this year's campaign so strongly.

Reading are sat top of the Championship table after their opening 11 matches of this year's campaign, but have seen their promotion rivals close-in on them after a recent slump in form.

That slump in form has ironically come since Liam Moore was sidelined through an ankle injury sustained in the narrow defeat to Coventry City.

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Tom McIntyre replaced him ahead of Gibson, which will surely have left Everton slightly frustrated with the defender's lack of minutes in the Reading first-team.

But McIntyre's forgetful display against Preston North End saw Gibson handed his first league appearance for the Royals, when they took on Stoke City at the weekend.

The Everton loanee didn't cope much better though, with his short back-pass allowing Stoke City to score their third goal of the afternoon in a 3-0 defeat for Gibson and his Reading team-mates.

The 20-year-old showed that he can suit Reading's possession-based style of play, and is comfortable on the ball, which will be pleasing to see for the club's supporters.

With the international break now upon us, it will be interesting to see whether Gibson will retain his place in the Reading starting XI for when they return to action.

Paunovic's side take on promotion rivals AFC Bournemouth in their next match, in what is certain to be a tricky test against Jason Tindall's side.