JORDAN Obita is confident that Steve Clarke’s shrewd summer business can help Reading FC launch a promotion assault this season.

Royals struggled last season and flirted with relegation for long periods but Obita believes Reading will now be competing at the other end of the table.

Clarke has added Orlando Sa, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane, Ali Al-Habsi and Jonathan Bond to the ranks, and stated that he wants to bring three more players to the club before the end of the transfer window.

A striker remains at the top of Clarke’s wishlist – despite the signing of Sa and potential of Dominic Samuel – with Reading still confident that they can land Robert Beric despite the forward attracting interest from bigger clubs abroad.

Obita has been impressed by what he’s seen of the new players and believes they can provide the experience needed to help push Reading up the league.

“Some good players left but these things happen and we’ve reacted well,” he said. “We’ve probably signed some players that people didn’t expect, players that have played Premier League football and can help us get back into the Premier League where we want to be.

“Paul McShane has loads of international caps as does Stephen Quinn.

“Orlando scores goals which is what we need so I’m expecting it to be an interesting and very good season.

“Ali Al-Habsi is a top goalkeeper, the new players have improved the squad and it’s quite exciting.

“Everyone has a chance of promotion in this league but with us, we’re looking sharp, training has been good and we always believe in ourselves and the team. Anything can happen in the Championship.

“The dream for everyone is to be in the Premier League and that’s where I want to be with Reading.”

Promotion has an even higher price this season, with the Premier League’s new TV deal starting next season – giving club’s more money than ever before for being in the top league.

It has led to Championship teams attempting to throw money at the chance of promotion – with Middlesbrough and Derby County two of the league’s highest spenders already.

Aitor Karanka’s side have also been linked with a big money move for Jordan Rhodes – but Obita is unconcerned by what other clubs are spending.

“Teams can spend money but it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “It’s about the players you have at the club, the bond you have and how you perform week in week out on a Saturday and Tuesday.

“It’s about the results not the money. We’ve signed a couple of players on a free but they’ve got Premier League experience so it shows you don’t have to spend money to bring good players in.

“I believe in this squad and think we can get the results that we want to see us at the top end of the table.

“We’ve drawn a line under last year, the gaffer has brought some players in who have been there and played at the top level so it’s encouraging.

“We want to make sure this is a better season for us and the supporters, and I’m confident it will be.”