Reading boss Ruben Selles believes his side have 'got what we wanted' out of pre-season as the start of the new League One season is just five days away.

Last summer, the Royals lost every single friendly on route to what was the club's lowest finish for over 30 years against a backdrop which threatened the very existence of the club.

However, turning around a 10-point deficit to finish comfortably clear of the relegation zone and creating a bond between squad and supporters unlike anything seen in the last decade, supporters are now heading into the new campaign with positivity and optimism.

This has translated onto the field too, with three Championship teams defeated in pre-season with signs of real quality and progress.

Assessing the summer after Saturday's 2-0 win over Hull City in the final friendly, Selles has warned fans to take little from the results in wins over Watford and QPR.

"I always think that in pre-season, judging just on results is a mistake because there are lots of components there. Other teams are rotating as you are, trying new ideas. The advantage we have is that we have the platform- we’ve been working together for a year, and they know what I expect of them. We have been growing for one year so we know we can compete, and we know that we can be successful in League One.

"When you play pre-season, some teams are a little behind in creating that platform, but they are Championship teams. We will be making a big mistake if we think winning a couple of games against Hull and QPR that we are better than we were. The challenge next week against Birmingham will be completely different, as will the game against Colchester and Wigan. It gives you the platform, but I don’t like to judge results as the level of stress is not there because you don’t play for points. We continue building that platform and dressing room environment.

"We’ve played lots of different games and different times in pre-season, different approaches. We prepared all the different scenarios for the boys to have the feelings in their bodies so when the season starts, they already have it. I think we got what we wanted from pre-season but now the challenge is different and the real thing starts."

Thousands of Royals are expected to be in Birmingham on Saturday as the League One campaign gets underway at the home of the title favourites live on Sky Sports.