Reading have been set a date in court next month over an unpaid tax bill.

Served a winding-up petition in June from HMRC, the Royals have until August 9-according to the BBC- to clear their debt or face stark consequences.

This follows on from EFL charges relating to the club failing to pay their players on three separate occasions last campaign.

It is thought that part of the debt has been cleared, however there remains outstanding debt.

The petition can can be resolved by payment of debt or by arrangement of a payment plan with HMRC.

In the worst case scenario, it can lead to administration.

It is the fourth time Reading have been issued with a winding-up petition, including a third time since owner Dai Yongge took over the club in 2017.

On the field, the club remain without a first-team manager and have only seven first-team players.

The league campaign gets underway against Peterborough United on June 5.