Reading goalkeeper Luke Southwood revealed that the Royals backroom staff are in touch with him while out on loan at Cheltenham Town.

One of the most in-form stoppers in League One, only six goalkeepers have kept more clean sheets than the Academy graduate (10), all of which are in the top 10 compared to the Robins in 18th.

Speaking to the media ahead of a trip to Bolton Wanderers, Southwood admitted that double figures was his target, and now his aim has shifted upwards.

"I'm really happy to hit that total. That was the target we set at the start of the season, and to get there before January is more than what we could've expected," said Southwood.

"Now we need to increase that target, and we'll aim for 15 clean sheets by the end of the season."

With attention shifting to his parent club, the 25-year-old is due to be out of contract in Berkshire over the summer.

A regular at the start of last season, he featured once under Paul Ince during the final months of the campaign.

"They catch up here and there," Southwood said. "I had a phone call from the goalie coach recently and different people around the club. They’re keeping tabs on my progress, telling me well done on things I did well and other things I need to work on. They’ve been in touch here and there, but it’s so full on with games here and at Reading that the communication can’t be all the time."

Only bottom club Wigan Athletic have conceded more than the Royals.