James Earnshaw

Doubts still remain over the availability of Reading defender Tom Holmes ahead of what could be his final involvement for his boyhood club. 24-year-old Holmes rose through the ranks with the Royals and has been on the books with the club for 16 years, making over 130 appearances in the process. Signing for Premier League Luton Town in January, but was loaned back until the summer to help keep his side in League One, the centre-back suffered a back injury in February and has not featured since. Blackpool's visit to Berkshire on Saturday will mark the end of Holmes' time as a Royal, linking back up with the Hatters for pre-season.

Reading Buses have confirmed that they are to depart later than usual after the match to allow supporters to enjoy the celebrations on 'Dia Del Jefe.' After turning around a season which looked doomed for relegation to League Two for the first time in over 40 years, the Royals confirmed their safety with two matches remaining. To recognise the job done by manager Ruben Selles, against a backdrop of off-field turmoil, the final day against Blackpool has been dubbed 'Dia Del Jefe'- Boss' Day. A new banner, which was fundraised for by supporters, new themed beer and plenty of paella are on offer while Blackpool look for the win they need to sneak into the play-offs.

A much-loved hero at Sunderland and Reading, Charlie Hurley, has passed away aged 87. A Republic of Ireland international, the defender played over 400 times for Sunderland after moving from Millwall. In 1964, Hurley came second to England captain Bobby Moore in the Football Writer's Association voting but was named Sunderland's Player of the Century in 2000. Gates at the Stadium of Light are named the 'Hurley Gates' in his honour.

More than £2,000 has been donated to the Reading Football Club Community Trust via fan group Elm Park Royals' fundraising page, going toward their work with the elderly in the town. With more than 10,000 social media followers, Elm Park Royals are one of the largest fan groups connected with the club- along with The Tilehurst End and Sell Before We Dai. Last month, the club faced a well-publicised 'shortfall' and the fundraising page was set up originally to assist with bridging this. Hundreds of supporters contributed to the scheme, which saw the group purchase thousands of match tickets also in order to allow those supporters who may not usually afford to go to see matches during the run-in.

Reading Football Club was a hot topic in the Houses of Parliament yesterday as MPs discussed the incoming Independent Regulator for Football. The Football Governance Bill has been a key part of changing the future of football, particularly for Reading protest group Sell Before We Dai. Royals supporters and staff have been enduring a horror 18-months under Chinese businessman Dai Yongge, with off-field issues continuing to dominate front and back pages. However, it is hoped that an independent regulator can have more powers over preventing, or ousting, unfit owners and prevent supporters from suffering like those of Bury, Macclesfield, Reading and many others.

Reading are braced for their highest crowd of the season for Saturday's final showdown of a turbulent campaign. A first third-tier season for over 20 years, crowds have generally held well at home and improved massively away from home- increasing by over 400 per match. This is despite fears of the club's very existence in what has been a rollercoaster ride off the pitch under owner Dai Yongge. With yet more points deductions, transfer embargoes and winding-up petitions, the Royals were 10 points adrift of safety in November but have managed to secure their place in League One for next season with two games to spare.

Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis believes Reading boss Ruben Selles 'deserves a hell of a lot of credit' for the job he has done in Berkshire. Selles, who arrived from Southampton in the summer, has kept the Royals in League One during a turbulent campaign of off-field drama. From winding up petitions, points deductions and transfer embargoes to the removal of hot meals and delayed wage payments, the club have feared for its future under the ownership of Dai Yongge. Despite this, the Royals maintained their third-tier status with two matches to spare.

Reading are to meet old foes Marlow in the 2024 Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final next month following their victory over MK Dons Under-21s. For the second season running, Marlow are in the showpiece occasion as Bracknell Town lifted the trophy last season. Veteran Dave Tarpey bagged a brace and Kai Hamilton-Olise and Dawid Rogalski both netted as the Blues ran out 4-2 winners at Oak Tree Road. Reading defeated Flackwell Heath on penalties in their semi-final, with Arbour Park hosting the final in May- a repeat of the first-ever Senior Cup final back in 1879.

Former Reading boss Kelly Cousins (formerly Chambers) has reacted to the news that the women's side avoided relegation from the Championship. Cousins, now in America, is from the town and is one of the most influential figures in the development of the women's team. Both captaining and managing the Royals, Cousins led the club to their highest finish of fourth in 2018. Departing to become Sporting Director at Utah Royals, Cousins was in charge last season as the women's side were relegated out of the Women's Super League and had to endure late wage payments, no food in the training ground and eventual demotion from fully professional to part-time.