Reading coach Alex Rae is looking forward to seeing Stoke City midfielder Josh Laurent on Saturday.

The former Reading Player of the Season spent three months working with Paul Ince and Rae at the end of last season, scoring vital goals against Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley in the fight to stay up.

Walking away at the end of the season on a free transfer, after 88 club appearances, the 27-year-old joined the likes of John Swift and Andy Rinomhota in moving on.

Speaking ahead of the clash at the Potteries, Rae said: "We had Swifty recently as well. It’s part of football, players recycle and move to other clubs. It’ll be nice to see Josh, he always has a lovely warmth, and he was very well liked here by everyone."

Despite hovering just two positions above the relegation zone, the former Scotland international is cautious of the threat the Potters pose.

"We played them earlier in the season and they’ve got some real quality in the squad. I don’t think their results have been what they’re looking for, but at any given moment they can get a good run.

"They have a really strong group and a manager who has worked at this level. We’re under no illusions, it’s going to be a tough afternoon.  I’ve known Alex Neil from my playing days when he was at Hamilton and I was a bit older, he’s very competitive and will be trying to implement that on his team."