Reading FC: Boss also compares Liam Kelly to Andres Iniesta during revealing press conference

Royals boss spoke openly and honestly to the local media after what has been difficult few weeks for his promotion-chasing team following three defeats in their last five games.

He also gave a full run-down on the health of his injured players and paid a growing tribute to the rapid rise of 21-year-old Liam Kelly, who he compared to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.

Here's a summary of today's press conference at Hogwood Park.

Stam's contract situation:

Stam says he is planning for the future but is not thinking about his own contract which runs out in summer 2018.

JS: “It's not on my mind, I am not thinking about contracts yet. But I am thinking about the future.

“I have spoken about my ambition here, about growing with the club and making steps forward.

“Maybe I stay here, I don't know yet. Can we make changes, buy players? Does it stay as it is, will players be sold? Do we need to do the same as we did this season?

“I want to keep making steps forward.”

He added: “Some players have signed new contracts recently which is good. The players who have done well deserve new contracts.

“But you always want to improve the squad so you are always looking at the end of the season and what you can do.”

Derby County's interest in Brian Tevreden:

Stam reacts to stories linking Royals director of football Brian Tevreden with a similar role at Derby County.

JS: “You always see names mentioned in football in every position when people get sacked or move away.

“Brian is still here, he's signed a new contract and I don't know what Derby want.

Director of Football Brian Tevreden has been linked with Derby County.

“We have a very good partnership, but that's how it goes in football. When your team is doing well, other clubs notice.

“If Brian goes it's a pity for us, but we will need to find somebody else. That's how it works.”

Takeover bid by Chinese consortium:

There has been little information forthcoming recently about the potential takeover by a Chinese group led by siblings Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.

JS: “I don't know to be fair, I haven't spoken about this for weeks, I don't know what's going to happen.

“If you want to achieve in football you need a plan and to know where you are going.

“If that's not clear as we go towards the end of the season, and it isn't, it doesn't help. That counts for everybody including the owners, players and myself.”

Reading's play-off position under threat:

Stam is backing his players to clinch a top-six finish despite their poor form and goal drought, having failed to score in four of their last five fixtures.

JS: “I always said this season wasn't going to be easy for us. It's very hard to get into the top six and the players deserve it to be fair. They have worked their socks off to get there.

“At the beginning of the season there wasn't much belief in us from a lot of people, so we have done very well up to now.

“The thing is, we have put ourselves on the map by doing well this season.

“We're in the top six and I have utmost confidence in the players to do well and end up in the top six. We just need to enjoy it and stick to what we've been doing throughout the season.”

Injury update:

Stam hopes first-choice centre-backs Liam Moore and Paul McShane will be fit for Friday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday, though others including Liam Kelly remain sidelined.

JS: “Liam is still in the treatment room. He's done a little bit of work but it's not as quick as Liam Moore who is looking very well and has trained outside, so hopefully he will be in Friday's squad.

Liam Moore should be available for Friday's six-pointer at Sheffield Wednesday.

“Paul felt his hamstring a bit at Preston on Saturday so we took him off. He's had a scan just to make sure, but hopefully he can also be involved on Friday.

“Jordon Mutch has a hip problem that he had before when he was at Crystal Palace. He didn't train on Tuesday so I don't think he will be involved on Friday.”

Stam also confirmed Tiago Ilori, Callum Harriott, Deniss Rakels, Sandro Wieser, Danzell Gravenberch and Stephen Quinn are all unavailable for Friday's trip.

Kelly the Reading version 'Iniesta':

Stam likened 21-year-old midfielder Liam Kelly to Barcelona midfielder Iniesta.

JS: “He has certain qualities Iniesta also has. Of course, Iniesta has the experience and everything else, but if you look at the things Liam can do he certainly comes close to him.

“It's not about Liam being at the same level as Iniesta, but if they tried him at Barcelona with their players around him he might also do well.

Reading midfielder Liam Kelly.

“It's about adapting yourself to a system and having the ability to handle that.

“Liam has been outstanding for us. He can pass, he can move he can go past people and defensively he's aggressive. These are qualities that nowadays big teams like to have.”