Reading boss Mark Bowen said that he was happy with the response from his players against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

The manager was speaking after his side picked up a second consecutive draw away from home, having drawn against Barnsley in the week.

Mark Bowen said that the side were 'braver' in the goalless draw at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

"Some harsh words were said at St Georges Park after the Barnsley game.

"The manner of the result did not sit well with all of us so we have got to work hard and be braver on the ball, building attacks better and being more comfortable in possession. 

"I certainly thought in the first half going into it we were a lot braver in possession, coming into any away ground is always difficult but we were in more control of the game.

"If I wanted to criticise it's that we didn't create too much clear cut chances and we have to be better at that. It was important to have more control of the game - more than we did at Barnsley.

"It's a process we are in, everyone has to be patient as we are trying to build something and become a club that's not spending time in the bottom four or five."

Reading will have to go into the festive period with a number of first team stars out through injury.

Mark Bowen confirmed the following players would be missing. 

Matt Miazga

"He felt his hamstring on Friday, he had something similar earlier in the season when he came off at Huddersfield so it's a similar thing after playing Saturday, Wednesday.

"He'll have a scan on Monday so we'll see how bad he is."

George Puscas

"We're hopeful. It is a dislocated shoulder and he's seen a specialist.

"They thought an operation was needed but he might be able to sit a week - ten days and it improves.

"Like Moore in the past so it could be three weeks rather than three months."

John Swift

"I'm hoping Swift will be ready for QPR, if not Derby."

Tom Mcintyre 

"He played last week for the U23s but damaged his hamstring and will be out for four to five weeks."

Bowen also confirmed that Obita had missed the game against Stoke because of a family situation.