READING FC bad-boy Mo Barrow is edging closer to a return to the squad after breaking club rules.

Boss Paul Clement has left Barrow out of his last three teams following a breach of discipline.

The decision angered many Royals fans who believe Clement can ill afford to drop one of his top attacking players during their on-going struggles.

Clement is refusing to explain what Barrow did to land himself in hot water, but he is confident a resolution can be found, possibly before Saturday’s home game against Bristol City (3pm ko).

“I think we’re close to finding a solution and I hope we do,” stated Clement.

“I would prefer not to go into the details, it’s not professional to do that and it’s an in-house matter.

“Mo is a good player who can help this team, but I have to think about the bigger picture and what is best for the team.”

Winger Barrow has struggled to recapture last season’s form that saw him score 10 goals in 45 games.

The 26-year-old Gambia international is yet to find the net in 11 appearances this campaign and was once again omitted from the side that lost 2-0 at his and Clement’s former club Swansea City last weekend.

That was Reading’s fourth defeat in five league matches amid rumours the club are lining up Steve Bruce as a potential replacement for Clement.

Royals’ boss admitted: “When you don’t get results you are open to criticism in a range of areas from injuries to team selection.

“It’s part and parcel of the job. When you are winning games that kind of thing never happens.”

Swans striker Ollie McBurnie scored in each half to condemn Clement to a miserable return to South Wales on Saturday.

But Clement argued the outcome could have been different had Sam Baldock’s first-half goal stood instead of being ruled out for offside.

“In the first half Swansea played very well and we played really poorly, we were really under the cosh,” he argued.

“Saying that we had a disallowed goal that should have stood. It’s tight, but he’s onside. We should have still been 1-0 up and that can change the complexity of the game.

“We calmed the players down at half time and thought we were getting getting back into it.

“We had 14 shots away from home so I was pleased with our spirit and the way we performed in the second half.”

Meanwhile, Paul McShane, David Meyler and Callum Harriott have all recovered from injuries and are available for selection this weekend, though goalkeeper Vito Mannone remains sidelined.