JOSE Gomes gave an in-depth interview with local media yesterday ahead of a free weekend of fixtures for Reading FC.

Royals are not in action until next Tuesday night when they travel to Phil Parkinson’s Bolton Wanderers for a huge relegation six-pointer.

But Gomes’ squad will be training over the weekend in order to stay focussed on the task ahead.

Here are five key points from yesterday’s chat with the Portuguese boss:

1 Jordan Obita operation.

The left-back has not played since a 1-1 draw with Hull City in September 2017 after sliding off the pitch and into the advertising boards at Madejski Stadium.

He has had surgery on his knee twice and is due a third operation next week.

Gomes said: “Jordan will have an operation next week. It’s normal when a player has two operations to go for a third one. He’s thought a lot about it, and he will have the operation.

“I spoke with him as I like to go to the medical department every day to shake the injured players’ hands and see how they are.

“Jordan is suffering more than anybody but at the same time he is set in the idea that he must go this again and recover again to try and be ready for pre-season.

“Even when you are young it is not easy being out of the team for so long, it is very tough for him. We need to help him.”

2. Vito Mannone moving on?

Royals are keen to offload a goalkeeper after the arrival of Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez.

Royals now have four senior keepers – current first-choice Anssi Jaakkola, Vito Mannone, Sam Walker and now Martinez.

Reading Chronicle:

Vito Mannone could leave Reading before the end of the month.

Gomes said: “All the new players make our squad stronger including the new keeper. It’s normal to try and find a solution for one of the other keepers we already have so the board of directors are working on that.”

He added: “The idea is the same. You want players to feel part of the team but if you have too many it is difficult. If you are out of the squad for four or five weeks it is difficult to keep your motivation and give your maximum. We will see what happens.”

3. Unhappy Chinese owners.

Jose Gomes was asked if he thought Reading owner Dai Yongee is happy with the way the season is going, with Royals still in the relegation zone and two points form safety.

He replied: “If I was in his position, for sure I wouldn’t feel happy with the situation. If you invest in a club and give everything the club needs like he is doing and you are near the bottom of the table, I wouldn’t be happy.

“I am sure he is feeling the same thing, yet he is helping the club a lot. He wants more for everybody at Reading especially the supporters, and we will give more.

“I have spoken once to him when I arrived and maybe we will speak again after the Aston Villa game.”

4. ‘I kill my players’

Jose Gomes has won only one of his six games in charge in all competitions – a 2-0 home victory against Nottingham Forest.

However, the Portuguese boss believes performances are improving all the time and that Championship survival is attainable.

He takes full responsibility for results if players carry his instructions through – but get it wrong and look out!

Reading Chronicle:

Reading manager, Jose Gomes.

Gomes said: “I told my players if something goes wrong and we suffer a goal or lose a game where we played like we train, there is only one person responsible and that is me.

“But if we play out of that process, don’t want the ball and are afraid to play I kill my players, and they know that.

“During games we are playing out of our process for fewer minutes now, but we must be ahead of things in all our games. This is the challenge we have for the next match.”

5. ‘To tell you the truth, I am really in love with Reading FC’

Jose Gomes spoke with pride and passion about his reasons for leaving Portuguese top-flight club Rio Ave to take on a relegation battle with Reading in the Championship.

His words are certain to warm the hearts of Royals fans, that’s for sure.

He said: “I love football and I love big challenges. When I accepted the Reading job I knew the great passion of our fans, the pressure we have near the bottom of the table and the quality of players at the club.

“I left my team who were fighting for European competitions to come to a club fighting to stay in the English second division because I believe in these players and this project.

“I believe in the club and to tell you the truth I am really in love with Reading Football Club.”