Wycombe Wanderers legend Gareth Ainsworth has heaped praise on Reading boss Ruben Selles for the way he has navigated the club through a turbulent year off the field.

Ainsworth spent nearly 15 years with the Chairboys as player and as manager, leading the club into the Championship for the first time.

This was while the club was under the ownership of American lawyer Rob Couhig, who is soon to be confirmed as the new owner of the Royals as Dai Yongge's seven-year reign of terror looks set to end.

Ainsworth, a fan favourite as a player with the likes of Port Vale, QPR and Lincoln City, lives in Reading and had a spell with non-league Woodley United.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, the 51-year-old was asked his thoughts on the Royals and namely boss Selles.

"You’ve got to give him major credit because that club was really looking at administration in the face," he explained. "The breakdown from the owner to the people running the club and the figures that were being piped around about what Dai Yongge wanted for the club and how much he put in and then there was dispute about that and the land around the stadium. In all of that, they get relegated and points deductions, and they have to survive in what is a tough league.

"Big credit to Ruben Selles- he’s kept it away from the players, he’s got on with it and bedded in youngsters. They’ve sold players to the likes of Panathinaikos [Olympiacos] and places like that just to recoup a bit of money. Shoestring is an exaggeration. There is always talk of a takeover and Rob Couhig has been mentioned a few times- it needs a fresh start at that place. Fair play to Ruben."

Attending Reading's 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, Couhig met the players, staff and supporters during what was a positive day for the club at the SCL Stadium.