STEPHEN Quinn made another small step back to fitness as Reading FC Under 23s crashed 4-0 against Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2 last night.

The Republic of Ireland international got another 27 minutes under his belt in the clash at Stevenage's Broadhall Way.

Quinn only returned to full training a few weeks ago after four months on the sidelines with a serious knee problem.

The midfielder's last first-team appearance came in a 2-0 EFL Cup defeat at Arsenal on October 25.

The 30-year-old has been making slow progress and boss Jaap Stam is keen not to rush him back.

Stam explained: "Quinny played half-an-hour last night and we need to take it easy with him.

"I also spoke to him last week and he needs to get that feeling back.

"Given his age and experience he needs to tell me when he's ready to play in the Under 23s.

"I think in the half hour he played yesterday he felt quite good."

It took the hosts 11 minutes to break the deadlock when Ryan Loft punished a loose pass in defence by firing home.

And Martin Kuhl's Royals were left with a mountain to climb when they conceded two goals in as many minutes just after the half-hour mark.

Joshua Onomah doubled Spurs' lead with a smart finish and he then turned provider as Jaden Brown made it 3-0.

Reading threatened to pull one back when Sam Smith was denied by Pau Lopez and then Josh Barrett narrowly missed from a direct free kick.

But hopes of a fightback were dashed when Shilow Tracey's header made it 4-0 and the visitors needed a fine penalty stop by Luke Southwood, 19, to deny William Miller to prevent a fifth Spurs goal.

Kuhl's side did rally in the closing stages but Danny Loader, Jordan Holsgrove, Omar Richards and substitute Ramarni Medford-Smith failed to find the net.

Reading U23s will now host Middlesbrough in the last 16 of the Premier League Cup at Wycombe's Adams Park on Monday, March 20 (1pm ko).

A victory over Boro would send Reading through to the quarter finals of the competition they won back in 2013/14 during its inaugural year.

Reading U23 v Spurs: Southwood, Osho (Holmes 66), Richards, Hyam, Dickie, Holsgrove, Frost, Quinn (Loader 27), Rinomhota, Barrett (Medford-Smith 66), Smith. Subs not used: Driscoll, East.