Reading vice-captain Tom Holmes admitted that his debut 'probably came too soon' as he approaches 100 appearances.

At just 17 years old, centre-back Holmes started in a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers in the final few weeks of Jaap Stam's reign.

He would have to wait another two years, including a spell on loan in Belgium, before becoming a regular under Veljko Paunovic in 2020/21.

Now sitting on 96 appearances for his boyhood club, Holmes sat down to discuss his rise through the ranks.

"I was quite fortunate that one of the coaches at Woodley Town Kestrels had a link with Reading did some part time coaching-and he brought me to the club at the age of eight," the 22-year-old explained.

"At first, they didn’t want me, and I got sent back. He was a bit surprised I was back training with the Kestrels, and he managed to get me back in.

"I couldn’t have asked for much more," he said on being given his first team debut. "Looking back on it, it was all a bit of a blur. It probably came too soon. I still look back on that, when I’m playing now, and try and channel that love and excitement. I still have it."

Signing a new three-year contract over the summer, Paul Ince made the defender vice-captain behind Andy Yiadom.

The Ghana full-back was suspended for the 2-0 win over Bristol City, marking the first league match leading his team out before the game.

Holmes explained that the foremr England captain had rang him before the season started to discuss leadership roles.

"This year, before I signed, the gaffer called me up and had a chat about how he saw my development over the new few years. He said it’s something he wanted me to step into, a more senior role."

With Tom McIntyre lining up alongside him in central defence for most of the season, Reading's Academy is continuing to bear fruit.