Reading defender Sam Hutchinson admits to feeling 'embarrassed and guilty' after pre-season injury keeps him out for the first five matches.

Signed in the summer on a free transfer, the Sheffield Wednesday stalwart featured in every warm up fixture, even captaining the side on occasion.

However, after playing 90 minutes in defeat to Brighton, the former Chelsea Academy graduate felt an issue in his calf and was missing until last week's win over Middlesbrough.

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Not alone on the injury table, with the likes of Ovie Ejaria, Scott Dann and Yakou Meite missing with knocks at the same time, the 33-year-old admitted that he was desperate to get on the pitch.

"It was hard because you have all of these emotions after doing a pre-season," he opened up to the press ahead of the trip to the Den. "[You are] embarrassed and guilty because of the lack of numbers and you come to a new club, you want to make an impression. But you just grow up and battle on with it. But that’s why you have a squad, other people got chances and did really well and now they’re in the picture."

With three wins from the opening five matches, Paul Ince's Royals have shocked many outsiders with their start.

Not within the team though, as Hutchinson explains: "We’re only five games in so it’s a long time and we’ve got many games, but the talent is there, the hard work is there, so it’s having the nous to put everything we’re taught together on a gameday. That’s what we’ve done so far and a little bit of game management, some older heads and younger enthusiasm and there’s a great mix there.

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"The squad is not massive but there’s a good mix. It’s been difficult in the early stages because we still have so many injuries, with the likes of Ovie and Yaks to come back, it can only be better for us."