Reading boss Paul Ince believes Femi Azeez is looking better than ever, with the winger edging nearer a return.

Starting last season well under Veljko Paunovic, injuries have hampered the impact 21-year-old Azeez has made so far.

Yet to feature under Ince in a competitive fixture, the former England captain was impressed with the youngster over pre-season and was disappointed to lose him before the season began.

"It's important and when we go back to the start of the season, we looked round, and no disrespect to the younger kids, but we couldn’t change it. Now we’ve got Andy Carroll and Shane (Long) and Femi (Azeez) coming back who is looking fantastic in training. 

"Femi (Azeez) is absolutely flying in training. We’re governed by the medical team but when we started pre-season he was brilliant. I was thinking ‘wow this kid is ready’ and then he did his hamstring and was devastated to be out for two months."

Now back in training, Ince is waiting with baited breath to hear from the medical team on the midfielders potential return to action.

"He’s trained for the last two or three weeks and is looking stronger and sharper. He will be a great addition for us. He was so excited about the start of the season but he’s back now and looking to be involved but it depends on when the physios say we can get him in."