Reading boss Ruben Selles was delighted to welcome star midfielder Harvey Knibbs back into the squad after injury, but admitted that the fan favourite will need to 'fight' for a start after a series of impressive performances.

Knibbs finished in the top three for Player of the Season last year and hit double figures in his debut campaign, firmly cementing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

However, after suffering an injury the 25-year-old dropped out and a trio of Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Ben Elliott helped the Royals to a strong start to the new season.

Losing 1-0 to Leyton Orient on Saturday upon returning from the international break, Knibbs made his long-awaited return from the bench and had a 30-minute cameo against the O's.

No doubt a crucial player for the remainder of the upcoming season, Selles stated that the former Cambridge United favourite will not be an automatic starter and that he will need to 'fight' to regain his place in the starting 11.

"Harvey is finally back with us; I think it’s been four or five weeks out," Selles said after defeat on the weekend. "He is an important player for us, but he will need to fight because the confidence is really good in the midfield.

"Unfortunately, we lost Joel [Pereira], but we won a couple of players today, so they are the dynamics of the team and we need to try and be more of our best version. We talk about how robust we can be but today we were not exactly what we want to be."

Reading travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday as both sides look to put home defeats behind them, the Trotters losing 4-0 to Huddersfield Town in front of their home supporters.