According to Transfermrket.co.uk, Reading will have only seven players under contract for the beginning of the next season from the current squad, something which will no doubt be a cause for concern no matter what division the Royals end up in next term.

However, the club do have six members of the first team squad out on loan, at least two of which will be under contract when they return, namely Liam Moore and George Puscas- neither of which are likely to have a future of the club following their current temporary exits from Berkshire.

One player who is out on loan and out of contract next season, but might be giving the powers that be at Reading a metaphorical nudge, is centre-back Jeriel Dorsett.

The 19-year-old is currently at League Two Rochdale, and despite a difficult season for the Dale on the pitch, the former England youth international has picked up some supporters in Lancashire.

Having played 43 times for the Spotland outfit, who also had former Royal Liam Kelly on their books, the youngster has certainly made one of the three defensive positions his own, and has possibly played his way into the future plans at the SCL Stadium.

Sitting 20th in the fourth tier, Robbie Stockdale’s side have only conceded 51 goals in their 40 matches, a record bettered by only Barrow, Bradford City and Leyton Orient in the bottom 10 teams in League Two.

As with most results in football, it is the fine margins costing the side, with a league-high 17 draws.

Speaking to Dean Smith, founder of RochdaleAFC.com, a website and podcast for the side, Dorsett has grown into a solid performer in the Football League.

He said: “I am a fan of him. I wasn’t at first. There was a spell where he looked so bereft of confidence. He’s not the strongest on the ball and he’s playing left of a back three so he’s getting a lot of the ball.

“If you need him to defend and do the simple things, he’s very good. Now we’ve discovered that he’s come into his own. We’ve had a few more experienced players playing with him and I’d say he’s one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment. He’s progressed.

“As a defender I think he would be capable in the Championship because he’s big, strong, can put a real tackle in and rarely gets beaten in the air.”

Turning 20 in May, Dorsett has made two Cup appearances for the Royals before making the switch but has more than proved himself deserving of another shot in the Reading squad.

 

Interim manager Paul Ince has repeatedly stressed that contracts are not being looked at until the club is sure of what division the side will be in next season, but either way Mr Smith is certain that Dorsett has a future higher than League Two.

He concluded: “I think he’s more likely to have a career than the other young defenders we’ve got. We’ve had a few loanees who have stepped straight into the Championship who surprised me, I didn’t expect Gabe Osho to play in the Championship, so it might be a case of him going into League One and feeling more confident.”