At least eight former Reading players could feature against the Royals next season as the club line-up in the third tier for the first time since 2002.

With the likes of Jordan Obita and Jon-Dadi Bodvarsson still in discussions over extending their deals at Wycombe Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers, there could be up to 11 former players returning.

Take a look below.

James Henry, Oxford United

An Academy graduate at Reading, Henry played 18 times in four years with the first-team and had five loan spells.

Becoming a regular for Millwall and Wolves, including scoring against Reading, the midfielder has been with Oxford for seven years.

Already making plenty of SCL Stadium returns, including as recently as last summer for the legend's match, Henry will be a well-known figure to Royals fans.

Sam Baldock, Oxford United

A vastly-experienced striker before joining Reading in 2018, his spell in Berkshire was less successful than everyone had hoped.

Scoring 11 times in 74 appearances, the former Brighton and West Ham forward had a short spell with Derby County after leaving Reading before moving to the Kassam Stadium in February 2022.

Garath McCleary, Wycombe Wanderers

A former teammate of Baldock's, McCleary spent almost a decade with the club from 2012 until 2020.

Racking up 270 appearances for the club, not many have featured more for the club in recent years than the Jamaica international.

Departing on a free transfer during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 35-year-old has thrived in his three years with the Chairboys, playing almost every week in the twilight of his professional career.

Michael Morrison, Cambridge United

A leader and a very capable centre-back, Morrison arrived in 2019 having captained Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City for almost a decade.

'Morrodona' very quickly became a firm fan favourite and played over 100 times in three seasons, departing at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Moving originally to Portsmouth, he returned to his hometown club in January and helped keep the U's in the third tier.

Pierce Sweeney, Exeter City

Moving to Reading from Ireland as a teenager, the defender spent four years rising through the ranks.

Winning the 2014 Premier League Cup with the Under-21s, he never made a first-team appearance for the club.

Moving straight to St James' Park, Sweeney racked up almost 200 appearances in five years before moving to Swindon. 

Not working, due to family reasons, his contract at the County Ground was terminated and he has returned to the Grecians, making a further century of appearances since 2021.

Sean Long, Cheltenham Town

A teammate of Sweeney's in the Academy, Long made one League Cup appearance against Scunthorpe United.

Working his way through the non-league set-up with Lincoln City, the Robins picked the full-back up in 2018 where he has become a regular.

Now 28, the Irishman could make an RG2 return.

Ben House, Lincoln City

Another Academy graduate with just one cup appearance to his name, House rose to prominence with Eastleigh from 2020 until 2022, forcing the Imps to dip into their pocket and pick him from non-league.

Still only 23, House won the Player's Player of the Season award and finished as the club's top scorer last season.

Akin Odimayo, Northampton Town

Playing once in 2019/20, the defender found a permanent home down the M4 at Swindon Town.

A regular for two years, hitting nearly 100 appearances, Odimayo moved to fellow fourth tier side Northampton in 2022.

The Cobblers earned promotion back to League One last season, and the 23-year-old was a key part of that successful side.