Reading manager Paul Ince is hoping to give former captain Liam Moore a return to first team action after the World Cup.

First arriving in 2016, the defender is one of the longest serving players in the squad, but has not played for over a year after being stripped of the captaincy and sent out on loan under previous boss Veljko Paunovic.

Picking up a career-threatening injury with the Potters, the East-Midlands native has recently returned to training with the team.

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Speaking to the media after a 2-0 defeat to Watford, the Royals' third defeat in four matches, Ince confirmed that the former England youth international is very much in his plans.

"Liam is going to be another three or four weeks," he started. "The most important thing is that he’s on the grass training, Naby is about a week away. December 10, you get these people back to give you experience. Look at our two centre-halves, 20 and 22, very young.

"I wasn’t fortunate enough to see Liam [Moore] play but speaking to people around the place he’s a leader and a top player. If we can get him back to where he was, it can only be a positive for us. We’ll take him to Tenerife, get him up to speed and hopefully get him a game and go from there."

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With the World Cup break fast approaching, Reading travel to Hull City on Saturday before a four week lay-off during the tournamnet group stage.

They return on December 10 at home to Coventry City.