BRIAN McDermott admits his recruitment of new players this summer will be 'very, very important' to the future of Reading FC.

Royals suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Preston North End on Saturday in their last home fixture of the Championship campaign.

It came only hours after Reading announced long-time Director of Football, Nick Hammond, had left after 20 years' service to become Technical Director at Premier League West Bromwich Albion.

Losing someone with Hammond's reputation and contacts could be a major blow to McDermott's transfer plans over the coming months.

There are likely to be wholesale changes at the club with four loan players – Ola John, Alex Fernandez, Andrew Taylor and Mayej Vydra - set to depart next week.

Michael Hector and Lucas Piazon have already left the Madejski Stadium after they were recalled by parent club Chelsea last week.

It means the pressure will be on McDermott to bring in reinforcements in the close-season.

“It’s about the summer now,” he stressed.

“We need to recruit well, do a lot of work in the summer and that is going to be very, very important."

However, that task will be made that much more difficult by the surprise departure of Hammond last Friday.

Hammond had spent more than 20 years with Reading as goalkeeper, goalkeeper coach, Academy coach and finally Director of Football.

He played a crucial role in the club's success during that time having appointed Alan Pardew, Steve Coppell and McDermott as managers.

He also helped bring in a string of Royals' favourites including Shane Long, Kevin Doyle, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey and Marcus Hahnemann.

McDermott added: “When any member of staff leaves a football club it is always difficult, but I have worked very closely with Nick Hammond throughout all my time at Reading.

"He was instrumental in the two promotions to the Premier League achieved during his tenure and, in my opinion, he is right up there as one of the very best Directors of Football in the game.

“Nick has done a fantastic job for Reading Football Club, but more importantly he is a top guy – and myself and all the staff here will miss him very much.

“I would like to personally wish him all the very best in his new venture.”

Chief Executive Nigel Howe will now take on the Director of Football responsibilities with the assistance of Head of International Football Development, Brian Tevreden.

Reading have already been linked with a host of potential targets this summer including Oxford United's Kemar Roofe, Barnsley winger, Adam Hammill, and Real Valladolid player, Juan Villar.

McDermott is currently giving a one-week trial to Turkey U20 midfielder, Anil Capkin, and Royals boss was also impressed with Danzell Gravenberch, a 22-year-old Dutch defender from FC Dordrecht, when he was on trial recently.