August 30 marked the beginning of the EFL season for another year, with Reading narrowly losing 1-0 in Lancashire to Blackpool.

Five key stars from last season departed Berkshire over the summer, either permanently or on loan, and now play their trade in the second and third tiers of the EFL.

Let's take a look at how they got on.

John Swift

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder made his competitive debut for West Bromwich Albion on Saturday evening and netted the Baggies' equaliser against Middlesbrough.

Latching onto the end of a Jed Wallace cut-back, the former England youth international picked up where he left off with the Royals last season (scoring 11 and assisting 13).

Scoring on his Reading debut back in 2016, he has now scored on debut for his last two clubs.

Reading Chronicle:

Andy Rinomhota

Academy graduate Rinomhota started, got booked and was substituted on 81 minutes in Cardiff City's 1-0 win over promotion favourites Norwich City.

A game which sasw two red cards, Romaine Sawyers' strike was the difference in the Welsh captial, marking Rinomhota's first professional match away from Berkshire.

Next up for the Bluebirds, a trip to the SCL Stadium to face Reading.

Josh Laurent

Two years on from his Royals bow, Laurent played the full 90 for the Potters in a 2-0 defeat at the Den.

A fan favourite in his time with Reading, he played alongside fellow former Royal Lewis Baker in the centre of midfield.

A disappointing defeat in South London, Michael O'Neil's side are currently the only team below Paul Ince's side in a meaningless league table after one match.

Michael Morrison

Experienced defender Morrison played his first game outside the second tier for almost a decade against his former side Sheffield Wednesday.

Not a great day to be a defender, six goals were shared at Hillsbrorough as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru netted a late equaliser against Pompey.

Luke Southwood

The Academy graduate was in goal as Peterbrough United returned to League One with a bang, scoring three second half goals to walk away with a combeack win over Cheltenham United.

Against one of the favourites for promotion, it was the Robins' first match under new boss Wade Elliott.

24-year-old Southwood is only on loan at Whaddon Road, with his contract due to expire in summer.