Reading boss Ruben Selles has explained that Arsenal loanee Zane Monlouis has not been picked for recent squads due to the 'balance of the bench.'

The 20-year-old defender was Reading's only January addition, joining on loan until the end of the season after impressing as captain of Arsenal Under-21s.

It came after the likes of Tom McIntyre, Nelson Abbey and Nesta Guinness-Walker opted to depart, leaving the defensive line light on numbers.

Making his debut in a five-minute cameo at Fleetwood Town, conceding a last-minute equaliser at Highbury Stadium, the former England youth international has not appeared in a matchday squad since February.

"I need to make the list and I think the players that are coming regularly with us are working hard," Selles commented after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Barnsley. "I need to make a balance on the bench, and he was not there. He is training well but the other ones have been training with the same intensity and have given us everything during the season. I just decided on a different set-up for the bench."

The youngster did start for Noel Hunt's Under-21s in an impressive 3-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Hunt's Young Royals are on track to finish in the top half, above the likes of Wolves and Middlesbrough.