James Earnshaw

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony has called on his side to start 'putting some wins together' ahead of Saturday's meeting with Reading. After 10 days off for international football, Posh head into the meeting with the Royals off the back of an eye-catching 6-1 victory over local rivals Cambridge United and sit just two points behind Ruben Selles' side after Reading's 1-1 draw at Stevenage. Darren Ferguson's side reached the League One play-offs last season, their second successive play-off semi-final defeat, are remain one of the favourites for promotion come May. Reading are without a win at London Road for over 20 years, drawing 2-2 on Boxing Day last season, and are looking to remain tougher to beat away from home.

Reading boss Ruben Selles has admitted that he has no news to update supporters with in regards to the protracted takeover of the club. Up for sale from Dai Yongge for over 13 months, the Royals remain locked in talks regarding a takeover but little progress is evident as Christmas rolls around the corner. During an international break in which supporters called for more communication from the club, Selles has admitted that he has nothing to share but that he has been involved in meetings with the hierarchy. Former CEO Nigel Howe had previously been the club's leading figure in the sales process, however he is currently serving an FA ban for dealings related to a player agent.

Reading have been boosted for Saturday's trip to Peterborough United with the return of striker Sam Smith. The 26-year-old has been out for over three weeks but has scored five goals in 12 appearances so far this season. Formerly of the Posh's rivals, Cambridge United, the Academy graduate is set to make his first appearance in a month at London Road on Saturday as Ruben Selles' side return from the international break. Smith scored a late equaliser on Boxing Day during an entertaining 2-2 draw between the sides. Previously, Jayden Wareham had started in the role and the youngster scored against Newport County in a dominant display during the EFL Trophy.

Reading will find out their opponents in the Round of 32 of the EFL Trophy on Friday, with the draw narrowing it down to four possible opponents. Finding the group stage tougher than last year, where the Royals were top scorers and only conceded four times while scoring 19, Reading could only finish second this time around. Cheltenham Town, who beat Reading 1-0 at Whaddon Road, topped the group ensuring a home tie and a match with a runner-up next month. Coming second, Ruben Selles' side will have to travel to a group winner during the week commencing December 9.

eading return from the international break this weekend at London Road, looking to win at Peterborough United for the first time since 2001. On route to promotion from the third tier last time around, Alan Pardew's side won 2-1 in November 2001. Since then, the Royals have lost five times at the home of the Posh, including a 6-0 hammering in the League Cup 11 years ago. Last season, Ruben Selles' side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 on Boxing Day, a crucial point when form on the road was less than impressive. Take a look below at the amount of times Reading have failed to win at each of the 23 League One sides and the last victory, which includes a 58-year wait for a win at Mansfield Town.

Reading legend Jobi McAnuff has been made a Community Ambassador for the EFL, tasked with helping to showcase the work of Clubs in their communities. This week the EFL is showcasing its annual Week of Action from 18 – 22 November, celebrating the collective impact of Club community work across the League. While Managers and First Team players actively support their Club’s community activities all year round, the Week of Action sees them collectively come together in 72 towns and cities across England and Wales over the five-day period, meeting participants and engaging in some of the most innovative projects that are improving the quality of people’s lives. In 2023/24 alone, EFL players made almost 21,000 appearances at Club and CCO events, an average of 292 appearances per Club.

Former Reading midfielder Sandro Wieser now holds the unwanted record of losing to San Marino not once, but twice. The 31-year-old spent two years with the Royals but never progressed past the Under-21 team to make his first-team debut. A tough-tackling midfielder, Wieser is perhaps best known for a tackle on Gilles Yapi Yapo in 2014 which saw legal proceedings launched after Yapi Yapo suffered torn anterior and cruciate ligaments, a torn meniscus, a torn kneecap tendon, serious cartilage damage and deep bruising to his thigh. San Marino, the lowest ranked nation, caught the attention in September when they beat Wieser's Liechtenstein 1-0.

Legendary Reading manager Brian McDermott labelled former striker Adam Le Fondre the 'ultimate team player' at a recent question and answer session. Held at the Purple Turtle on Sunday, McDermott- who famously took the club to the Premier League in 2012- made a surprise appearance at the event after signing Le Fondre in the summer of 2011. Finishing as the club's top scorer in his three seasons with the club, including while in the Premier League, the 38-year-old is still playing in non-league for FC United of Manchester. Still holding the record for the most Premier League goals as a substitute, 'Alfie' earned the tag of a 'super sub' while with the Royals.

A poll of Reading FC fans, organised by the Sell Before We Dai campaign on X/Twitter, found that almost three in four supporters’ attendance at games has been negatively impacted, or could be in future, by the ongoing lack of communication from the club about the current ownership situation. More than 1,200 Reading FC fans took part in the poll, in which 50.5 per cent of fans said the lack of meaningful updates on the sale of the club has already led to a reduction in their attendance for league and/or cup games, with another 21.9 per cent saying it could do so in the future. Only 27.5 per cent said their attendance was unaffected.

Reading defender Tyler Bindon has played more minutes in world football this year than any other teenager, research has discovered. The 19-year-old moved to Berkshire in 2023 and has made over 60 appearances for the club, finishing in the top three of Player of the Season poll during his debut campaign as a professional. Coming from a sporting background, with his mother Jenny playing international football and his father an international volleyball player, Bindon has become the latest to represent his