LIAM Moore will be left out of Reading FC’s squad when Royals face Derby County on Friday night, boss Paul Clement confirmed.

The 25-year-old defender slapped the club with a transfer request last week in order to push through a move to the Premier League.

Brighton & Hove Albion have chased the former Leicester City star throughout the summer and remain the most likely club to secure Moore’s signature.

And Clement confirmed Moore will not play a part this weekend while negotiations continue between the two clubs.

Meanwhile, the manager also spoke about George Evans, positivity ahead of the season’s opener and Royals’ latest recruit, Sam Baldock.

Clement on Liam Moore’s transfer saga

“He’s here and he’s training.

“We know there is going to be a quick solution to this because the permanent window shuts next week.

“He’ll either be here or we won’t be. I’m hoping he will be here because I like him and he’s a really good player. There certainly won’t be any complaints from me if that window shuts and he’s still here.

“The fact that we’re going into the first game, we can’t be moping around. We have to think about the team and the team is preparing for Derby.

“Liam is not focused on the first game because we’re not sure what’s going to happen with him.

“It’s a short career. If he stays here he needs to get on with it and play for the club and help his teammates.

“Some of the other players will have been in his situation before. It happens from time to time.”

On starting the season well

“The six-week pre-season is about preparing us. We’re all really glad the first game has come round because we’ve done a really solid six weeks.

“We’ve had loads of sessions with very few days off.

“It comes down to the start of the season. It’s a fantastic opening game and something we’re looking forward to. We can’t wait to get into the competitive games.

“We want to start well because we’ve worked so hard. We have a home game and it’s the opening game of the Championship.

“But as soon as it’s gone we have to move quickly because game two is Nottingham Forest and we have 45 games to go.

“If you perform well you pick up some points and that breeds confidence. Derby is the first game so let’s do our best to get a good result.

“I’m confident that the way the players have responded to the tactical ideas and the amount of work they’ve put in to get their conditioning right that we are ready to go.”

On Baldock joining Reading FC

“That deal took some time to get over the line. We started that process quite some time ago.

“When you’re the player involved and you’re not sure where you are at. It can be to the detriment of the player both physically and mentally.

“I like the way Sam looks. He does need a little bit more but he’s ready to be involved straight away.

“It’s always the same thing that holds a move up – the valuation of the player.

“One club thinks it’s this and the other thinks it’s that. Until you’re able to meet in the middle it doesn’t get done.

“It could have gone right to the wire and we could have missed out on him. I’m pleased it got done before the first game of the season.

“He’s really happy to be here. He’s chomping at the bit after not playing regularly last season.

“Baldock is proven at this level, he’s sharp and dynamic, he can finish and he’s intelligent. He’s also a good professional and that’s something I have been working on – making this a selfless dressing room and the way they work for each other.”

On more new signings

“Two would be nice. The more it goes on the more difficult that becomes. Even if the window shuts next week we still have time to do a loan or loans. I’m still confident that we will do a couple of things.

“We need a mix. We need to try and address the balance of the side. We need competition and I have to bare in mind there are injured players that are coming back in.

“Wingers for example, we’re a bit short in that area at the moment but soon we might find that we’re not.”

On Evans swapping Royals for Derby County

“Initially it was one club which got very close (Sunderland).

“Derby came in a bit later. It’s a good move for him and he deserves it. He’s such a nice lad, he was a good player here but I think he needs that next step. We are packed with midfielders.

“In pre-season we’ve played pretty much with two midfielders. There is still Meyler, Kelly, Bacuna, Clement, Edwards and Swift can play there too.

“There are just too many players. It’s not right for the club to have that many if you’re not going to use them and it’s also not right for the players.

“Football is a short career and you can’t be sitting on the bench for too long. If you feel like you’re not going to get the games then you have to move on.”

Reading face Derby County on Friday night (8pm ko, live on Sky).