For Royals youngster Michael Hector it was a baptism of fire, but the 21-year-old came through with flying colours during a recent loan with Aberdeen.

Dons boss Derek McInnes used him in central midfield and his performance against The Bhoys in a 3-1 Scottish Premiership defeat caught the eye.

Hector emerged through Reading’s Academy as a central defender, but the 6ft 4ins star looked comfortable in midfield. So much so that McInnes was desperate to sign him permanently - a move rebuffed by the Royals.

Fast forward to last Saturday and softly-spoken Hector was back in the middle again for the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.

It was a bold move by Reading boss Nigel Adkins given it was only his second Championship start for the club and Hope Akpan was also available.

Hector did not let his side down, but his place in Adkins’ starting line-up at Charlton Athletic this Saturday is under threat by the return of Danny Guthrie from a two-match suspension.

Hector, though, takes a laid-back view over his chances of starting at The Valley.

“Playing central midfield is a different position, but the manager believes I can play there,” he explained.

“I did it before at Aberdeen and played there in the game at Celtic and they don’t come much tougher than that.

“It was a good experience and I think I can do the job here at Reading as well.

“But I don’t know if I will keep my place this weekend, we will have to see.

“I feel comfortable in central midfield. I just want to play games and that’s the main thing for me.

“All I can do is train hard and hopefully stay if the team. If not, then I will be backing the boys that do play.” Adkins’ decision to use Hector in the centre last weekend came as a surprise to many - including Hector himself.

“I only fond out the morning of the game,” he revealed. “I’ve played central midfield in training when we work on shape and things, but I didn’t know I’d be playing until before the game.

“There is no hiding place in central midfield and it’s a tough learning curve, but hopefully I get more starts there.

“I felt Huddersfield dominated the early stages but in the second half it was all us. They were slowing the game down and we looked like the only team who would go on and win it.

“So there were plenty of positives to take from the performance, especially in the second half.

“It’s in our hands. If we do better than the teams below us we are in the play-offs.” Meanwhile, Hector revealed talks between his agent and the club over a new deal are ongoing with Royals eager to tie him down on a longer contract.