Reading face the difficult task of opening their League One account at title favourites Birmingham City on Saturday, with a crowd approaching 30,000 expected at St Andrew's.

Coming out of pre-season full of optimism after three wins over Championship opposition, the threadbare squad appear relatively unscathed other than at full-back where Andy Yiadom, Jeriel Dorsett, John Ryan and Kelvin Abrefa have seen little to no action.

With just two days remaining until the big kick-off, we at the Reading Chronicle have attempted to walk in Ruben Selles' shoes and select the Royals' squad to face Blues.

(Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Joel Pereira

Among the most obvious picks for Saturday, Pereria looks set to be number one this year after his impressive displays in the final few months of last season.

Once you add in David Button’s minor injury and Coniah Boyce-Clarke’s lack of League One minutes, all fingers point to ‘El Gato.’

(Image: JasonPIX)

Michael Craig

There is an outside chance that Kelvin Abrefa could be deemed fit enough for some involvement having been set to return to full training on Monday, but with hardly any minutes during pre-season, it would be a big ask to chuck him in at the deep end at St Andrew’s.

Craig looked solid and assured at right-back last week, driving forward to play a large role in Ben Elliott’s goal on Saturday against Hull City.

(Image: JasonPIX)

Amadou Mbengue

Already onto his second hairstyle of the season, the enigmatic defender has led the back line well among some even younger heads during pre-season.

Still holding his unpredictable streak from seasons gone by, the 23-year-old really grew up last year and made himself almost un droppable.

Tyler Bindon

The water to Mbengue’s fire, Bindon and Mbengue go together like fish and chips. Complimenting each other in every possible way, the 19-year-old returns with an Oceanic Nations Cup medal and the experience of playing at an Olympic Games from what was a hectic summer.

Yet to feature for the club over pre-season, the teenager has had a week’s rest and should be raring to go.

(Image: JasonPIX)

Andre Garcia

Still only 16 and with no professional minutes under his belt- Saturday could prove a real sink-or-swim moment for the left-back.

However, with Jeriel Dorsett unlikely to be ready from the start and Garcia starting most of the warm-up friendlies, he could get the nod for his bow in Birmingham.

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Lewis Wing

Captain Fantastic in the absence of club skipper Andy Yiadom, the 29-year-old can control games from the base of midfield and is more than willing to drop into the backline and help out when needed.

One of a few game-changers in the Royals squad, hopefully, he picks up where he left off last season.

(Image: JasonPIX)

Ben Elliott

After a season of shifting around and doing his bit for the team, this has all the hallmarks to be the 23-year-old’s breakout season.

Finally drafted into the middle of the pitch from the start, in a trio if pre-season is anything to go by, the former Chelsea youngster will have the platform to showcase his talents while in his most confident position.

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Harvey Knibbs

A key cog in Ruben Selles’ pressing machine, the former Cambridge United favourite enjoyed a stellar debut campaign in Berkshire.

Completing a midfield trio of the experienced Wing and young Elliott, Knibbs is the perfect age to grab a season by its scruff and drive the Royals up the table.

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Femi Azeez

Capable of making something happen out of nothing, Azeez will be closely followed this season after a stellar individual campaign last time out.

Responsible for feeding Sam Smith up top and chipping in with goals himself, his defensive displays will need to be equally sound with a young backline behind him.

(Image: JasonPIX)

Sam Smith

Injured for the beginning of last season, the forward still found the net with regularity and grabbed 16 goals.

Fit and firing from the start could set the 25-year-old on his way to a career-best tally, with 21 the number to hit.

(Image: JasonPIX)

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan

Enjoying a breakout campaign last year, the youngster is well on his way to becoming the most prolific Academy graduate when it comes to goals.

Despite not necessarily wanting to play out wide, the forward is a menace and defences struggled to cope with his powerful running and underappreciated trickery.