Former Reading defenders Nesta Guinness-Walker and Michael Hector were among an 18-man squad of free agents featuring in a friendly organised by the Professional Footballers Association.

Providing players with an elite club pre-season environment, the PFA have organised a new 10-week residential pre-season camp.

Each week-long session will offer players high-intensity, on-pitch training and fixtures led by the PFA’s specialist coaching team, alongside strength and conditioning sessions and access to the PFA’s range of personal development services.  

To help players maximise opportunities to secure new deals for the 2024/25 season, scouts will attend the camps throughout the summer period to meet players and observe the sessions.  

Cambridge United provided the opponents on Tuesday afternoon, while the likes of Stratford Town and Manchester United Under-21s have been played over the summer.

Guinness-Walker, who spent two years with Reading, was released in May after spending half of the season on loan with Stevenage.

The 24-year-old managed 41 appearances for the Royals but was deemed surplus to requirements.

Meanwhile, Hector rose through the ranks and made nearly 100 appearances between 2014 and 2016.

He was with Charlton Athletic last season, with the 32-year-old making nearly 40 appearances for the Addicks in 2023/24.

The likes of Dwight Gayle, Martyn Waghorn and Carl Jenkinson are among the other names to feature.