Reading striker Sam Smith feels the side have needed the rest during the international break 'more than anybody else' and is hoping to keep up the good run upon return on Saturday.

26-year-old Smith got off the mark for the season in the last match, a 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic, and had previously admitted to being unsettled during the transfer window.

Due to the protracted takeover, only one signing was made despite the need for reinforcements and added depth, with the free market open to the Royals once a takeover is completed.

"I think we probably need it more than anyone. There’s no denying that we’ve got a thin squad and a young squad. A lot of lads have worked hard since the start of the season- not just in the games but in training. We’re trying to implement what we worked on last season with the young lads, and it’s been difficult.

"We were hoping to get some reinforcements in but obviously we all know the situation with that. We need the rest more than anyone and hopefully, we can build after the international break."

Getting off the mark at the fourth attempt, Smith is determined to continue his goal-scoring when Leyton Orient visit Berkshire on Saturday.

"It’s always a big thing, to get off the mark. We’ve played two difficult games away from home and they were a learning curve. We took a point from the two of them, which we’ll take.

"I had a few chances at Wigan that I should have taken so to get the goal was massive. All-in-all I had a role to try and link the play and build from higher up so we will take the positives and hopefully we can build on it after the international break."