Reading boss Ruben Selles has been labelled 'one of the most exciting managers in the EFL' by expert George Elek.

Elek, co-host of the award-winning NotTheTop20 podcast, has tipped the Royals to have a solid season but admits much of their progress hangs on a takeover progressing before the end of the summer transfer window.

Predicting the club to finish 17th in their pre-season podcast, Selles came in for plenty of praise for the work he did last season, galvanising a squad struggling in the first half of the year to end nine points clear of the relegation zone.

This was despite being 10 points adrift of safety in November and suffering multiple points deductions for off-field issues.

"I strongly believe that Ruben Selles is one of the most exciting managers in the EFL," Elek told co-host Ali Maxwell. "I think the job he did last year at Reading rivals the best jobs we saw in the whole league. That may have culminated in a mid-table finish but for him to get Reading performing to the levels that they were with all the unrest off the field and having to blood young players that he’s been dealt, has been incredible to watch.

"If I owned a Championship club or wealthy League One club, he’d be top of my list. He plays a really aggressive, energetic style of football with a track record of bringing through young players. I think it’s been phenomenal what he has done and if he stays, I think they’ll be okay. The back end of last season was the same squad, basically, and he got them getting good results and good numbers. They’re a good side and weren’t doing it by luck."

Supporters feel similarly optimistic for next season after a strong pre-season in which three Championship sides were beaten.

Thousands of Royals are making the journey to title favourites Birmingham City on Saturday for the curtain raiser, which is also live on Sky Sports (17.30pm ko).