The transfer dilemma facing Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic as pre season edges closer

The start of pre-season is looming large for Reading as they get set for the new Championship season.

Veljko Paunovic's squad return for training at Bearwood on Monday, June 28 as they embark on a six-week schedule in the run-up to the 2021/22 campaign.

The manager is faced with a depleted squad, though, following some big-name departures earlier in the summer.

Omar Richards, Sone Aluko and Sam Baldock were among the high-profile players released as their contracts were up, while the three loan players - Alfa Semedo, Tomas Esteves and Lewis Gibson - have all returned to their parent clubs.

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It has left Paunovic with only 18 senior players in his squad - as things stand - with pre-season just over a week away.

Although 18 may sound a healthy number, realistically it is 14 or 15 first team regulars, supplemented by some fringe players.

In addition, there is a striking imbalance to the squad, with, for example, only four senior defenders for the Serbian to choose from.

Paunovic will bring in some of the club's U23s stars to take part in training, at least initially, to flesh out the numbers and give them a chance to prove they can cut it at first-team level.

It is no secret, however, signings have to be made to improve the squad's quality and to provide competition for places.

In goal, there are three keepers battling for the no.1 position. Rafael and Luke Southwood were the first and second choices respectively last season and head in to pre-season in the same position.

Teenage academy product Jokull Andresson, who spent a chunk of last season on loan in League Two, is due back as well and will want to stake his claim for a place in the senior squad.

The defence is currently the most worrying position for Paunovic, with only four senior players contracted to the club for next season.

Uncertainty remains over Tom McIntyre, whose existing deal expires at the end of June. The centre-back has been in talks with the club over a new contract but has not yet put pen to paper.

It means Reading have one right-back (Andy Yiadom), three centre-backs (Liam Moore, Michael Morrison and Tom Holmes) and no left-backs as things stand.

With a lack of options coming through the youth system, addressing the full-back positions should be the first priority for Reading in the summer transfer market.

There are seven senior midfielders on Royals' books - Andy Rinomhota, Josh Laurent, Michael Olise, Ovie Ejaria, John Swift, Felipe Araruna and Dejan Tetek.

The future of Olise remains up in the air, though, after the teenager had a superb campaign in 2020/21 and has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.

The 19-year-old has just a year left on his contract so Reading may consider cashing in on the attacker, who has been tipped to go far in the game.

Swift, who almost joined Sheffield United last summer, is likely to attract interest again over the next couple of months although having been injured for the majority of last season, any deal will be far from simple.

Araruna, meanwhile, played just four games in 2020/21 due to injury so although he should be fresh for pre-season, he will need some game time under his belt sooner rather than later.

Academy product Tetek was used sparingly last year and although he is highly rated by Paunovic, it would be a surprise to see him used too much this coming year - especially if Andy Rinomhota and Josh Laurent remain at the club.

Following the departures of Baldock and Sam Smith, there are only four senior strikers left at Reading.

One is Marc McNulty, and given the fact he has been loaned out four times by Royals since joining in 2018, it is clear he is a way down the pecking order.

That leaves Paunovic with just three realistic options up front - Lucas Joao, George Puscas and Yakou Meite.

Joao remains first choice in attack although he will want to ensure he starts the season strongly after a poor end to the last campaign.

Meite's ability to play across the forward line remains an extremely important asset to the side and the fact he scored 12 goals in 25 appearances last season shows he is a dangerous goal threat.

Should he keep fit this coming year, there is no reason why he is not capable of reaching 20 goals.

The jury remains out on Puscas who had an injury-hit 2020/21, although when he was on the field, he rarely impressed.

The Romanian scored just four goals in 22 appearances so a lot of work is needed to get him firing on all cylinders once again.

Paunovic has six weeks to prepare his squad for the Championship campaign which starts on the weekend of August 7/8.

He is yet to make any new signings and there has been only one player sale - teenage forward Thierry Nevers to West Ham United.

As in previous windows, money is extremely tight and any incomings will primarily be loans or free agents.

Any deals for new players will be heavily scrutinised by the English Football League (EFL) to prevent the club from falling foul of Profit and Sustainability guidelines.

Reading's U23s squad are due to report back at Bearwood on Tuesday, June 22 while the club's U18s have been told to come back on Friday, July 2.

Reading squad

Goalkeepers

Rafael, Luke Southwood, Jokull Andresson

Defenders

Liam Moore, Michael Morrison, Andy Yiadom, Tom Holmes

Midfielders

Andy Rinomhota, Josh Laurent, Michael Olise, Ovie Ejaria, John Swift, Felipe Araruna, Dejan Tetek

Strikers

Yakou Meite, Lucas Joao, George Puscas, Marc McNulty

Some of the U23s likely to be used to boost numbers

Coniah Boyce Clarke, Ethan Bristow, Imari Samuels, Jeriel Dorsett, Nelson Abbey, Nahum Melvin-Lambert, Mamadi Camara