Reading captain Lewis Wing has outlined ambitious plans for the season among the squad, targeting promotion.
The 29-year-old has been wearing the armband in place of injured club captain Andy Yiadom and has become a fan favourite since arriving last summer, winning Player of the Season in his debut campaign.
Playing a starring role for Ruben Selles' side as they have defied critics to sit on the cusp of the play-offs a third of the way through the campaign, the boss has previously said that the target is 50 points and survival in League One.
However, following Saturday's 2-1 win over Peterborough United, both Wing and Selles hinted at increased expectation among the group for the rest of the season.
"The dressing room is very happy so now we need to make a decision in our performance- if we want to go up and keep ourselves in the front part of the table or if we don’t," said Selles.
"This isn’t a decision where you say if you’re in or out, you have to show it in every action on the pitch, in training and in preparation. That is the challenge for us right now."
Wing made his view much clearer shortly after, saying: "As players we want to be as high as we possibly can. I’ve told you before and I’ll keep saying it, we want promotion. We want to get back to the Championship where the club deserves to be. Hopefully we can do it this season."
Expectation among supporters and wider football world had remained cautious due to the ongoing ownership crisis.
Last season, suffering points deductions, the Royals finished 17th in League One but were among the form sides for the second half of the campaign.
Visiting Barnsley on Tuesday, Reading are only outside of the play-offs on goal difference after 15 matches.
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