Former Reading and Chelsea defender Michael Hector has been training with the club, the Reading Chronicle understands.

The 30-year-old has been without a club all summer since his release from Fulham.

Linking up with his former club over recent weeks, it is understood that the centre-back took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Brentford on Friday.

Available on a free agent, it is thought that both parties are hoping a deal can be thrashed out, but it is not thought to be close at this stage.

Graduating through the Royals Academy in 2009, he had 11 loan spells before breaking into the first team in 2014.

Making 63 appearances, European giants Chelsea signed him in 2015, loaning him immediately back to Berkshire for the year to take his total appearances to just shy of 100.

Failing to make an appearance for the Blues, he had three more temporary switches in the Football League before finding a permanent home in West London neighbours Fulham.

Featuring four times for Marco Silva's title-winning team last year, the Londoner was let go following promotion to the Premier League.

He would join the likes of Tom Holmes, Tom McIntyre and Sam Hutchinson in the central defensive region of the pitch, although during his loan stint six years ago he was experimented with in midfield.