BRIAN McDermott spoke of his relief at putting a painful run behind him after Reading FC ended a four-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw at QPR, writes Anthony Smith.

Dennis Rakels cancelled out Grant Hall's opener for the home side to earn Royals their first point in five Championship matches after losses against Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Hull.

"The last few weeks hurt,” admitted McDemrott. “We needed that result.

“It was crazy that we hadn't got anything from the last four games, but we went to QPR knowing we had to get something.

“I thought we were going to win it at the end.”

He added: “We got the details of Championship football right - tracking runners, second balls, stopping crosses, all the things we know we have to do to be successful in this division, all the things we're looking forward to doing next season.

"I watched Burnley play the other night and they were doing everything right.

“Why have we had two seasons like we've had? Because we haven't got it right.

“But that's what we're trying to work towards - getting a group of guys together and have a right go.”

McDermott is preparing for a busy summer in the transfer market as he rebuilds his squad.

Six loan players – Michael Hector, Matej Vydra, Andrew Taylor, Ola John, Lucas Piazon and Alex Fernandez – are due to return to their parent clubs.

In addition, senior players Anton Ferdinand and Hal Robson-Kanu will be out of contract this summer and are yet to open talks over a new deal.

Wales international Robson-Kanu has been strongly linked with a free transfer to Swansea City when he returns from the European Championships.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has also been a regular at Madejski Stadium recently and is rumoured to be watching Ollie Norwood, Jake Cooper and John.

Meanwhile, McDermott appears to have the full support of Reading's Thai owners following talks with 25% stakeholder Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth last week.

Royals boss explained: "I want to try and build something again here, so next season has to be in my mind.

“It's common sense to select the players who are going to be with us next season, it has to be that way - and it's what I tried to do on Saturday.

"George Evans played the full game, Deniss has scored again, Yann Kermorgant looked like he was striking up a good partnership with Deniss - they will all be a big part of next season.

"I'm really looking forward to getting going in pre-season, getting a group of players together who are going to do us proud next season.”

Reading's last home fixture drew a paltry 12,949 crowd, their lowest attendance for a league game at Madejski Stadium for 12 years.

But a healthy 1,633 Royals supporters made the trip to Loftus Road on Saturday, and McDermott stated: “Those fans were top drawer, they out-sung Rangers and that's what I'm here for, those people and nothing else.”

Reading host Preston this Saturday in their final home game this season (3pm ko).