THE FUTURE for young Royals' stars Aaron Kuhl and Josh Barrett could be bleak unless they make significant improvements, Reading FC boss Jaap Stam has warned.

The two young midfielders, who are a common feature for Reading's Under 23s team, have been out of the first-team fold all season.

However, Barrett showed glimpses of stellar potential towards the end of last year's campaign under Brian McDermott while Kuhl was given a chance to strut his stuff under Nigel Adkins.

Kuhl, son of Under 23s boss Martin, was loaned out to Dundee United at the start of the season but failed to settle and did not hold a regular first-team spot. He was subsequently loaned out to National League side Boreham Wood.

However, Barrett, 18, is yet to be loaned out to gain first-team experience, and has been a mainstay in the Royals' academy since he signed his first professional deal in October 2015.

Reading Chronicle:

Barrett, right, needs to improve to make his way into the first-team.

Former boss McDermott touted Barrett to become a future star for the Royals, but he has not done enough to impress Jaap Stam.

Speaking about the duo, Stam said: "We are aware of them and they have potential but if they were doing well enough to put pressure on the players who are within the squad then they would be in it.

"At the moment they really need to step up and do better if they want to get into the squad."

Kuhl will be out of contract in the summer whereas Barrett is tied down to the club until 2018.