Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis believes Reading boss Ruben Selles 'deserves a hell of a lot of credit' for the job he has done in Berkshire.

Selles, who arrived from Southampton in the summer, has kept the Royals in League One during a turbulent campaign of off-field drama.

From winding up petitions, points deductions and transfer embargoes to the removal of hot meals and delayed wage payments, the club have feared for its future under the ownership of Dai Yongge.

Despite this, the Royals maintained their third-tier status with two matches to spare.

Pulis, best known for his decade with Stoke City, has played and managed in all four professional divisions over his 45-year career in football.

Speaking to OLBG, the former Manager of the Season commented: "My advice to managers of clubs with issues behind the scenes is to focus on winning games on a Saturday. If you get too wrapped up in stuff going on behind the scenes, it can distract you from winning matches and that's what matters most for the fans, the team and the town.

“I understand it's hard as cuts to the team affect their position but whatever hand you're dealt with, you've got to find a way to win on Saturday because you won't stay in a job if not, regardless of what's going on upstairs. 

“Selles deserves a hell of a lot of credit for the job he has done, regardless of how they have done it. Forget style, whether it's playing out from the back or going long from the goalkeeper, management is about finding a way to win. 

“It's great for the whole football club to be winning games but will the situation it improve? I really don't know.”

With exclusive negotiations underway, there are hopes that the ownership will change hands before next season, giving the club a new lease of life.