Royals skipper Liam Moore blasted the fixture schedule after Reading’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

Reading will now play five games in fourteen days, starting with next weekends home game against Derby County.

And the captain has spoken about the impact that the fixture congestion has on squads across the league.

“This league is relentless. I came into this game [against Stoke City] with a few little strains myself.

We seemed to have a few games at the start of the season, then a break, then a few more games, “then a break, then a few more.

“Then, they all just come out of you from nowhere. Ideally, they’d be more spread out – we had three internationals in three months at the start of the season. It doesn’t really make much sense.

“You’ve just got to grind through it. A lot of teams are doing the same at the minute, I was watching a game [recently] and a couple of hamstrings went straight away. It’s down to the sheer amount of games and the speed the Championship is played at.

“It is play, recover, play. It’s a simple as that.”

Matt Miazga was ruled out on Saturday after picking up a hamstring injury in training, which manager Mark Bowen said was a result of the fixture build-up.

As a result, Reading switched to play four at the back – a formation which favours the Royals skipper.

“When we were playing as a three and winning games, you just get on with it. I wasn’t performing how I know I can perform; I don’t feel I can dictate the game as much and be involved in a three – but when we’re winning, I don’t mind.

“But after a couple of bad results, to get back into the position where I feel I can lead the team and put in the performances I know I can, I am happy.”

Reading secured only their fifth clean sheet of the season on Saturday, which Liam Moore said would give his fellow defenders a big confidence boost.

“Wednesday night was really difficult to take. We went into the four, I really enjoyed that and felt comfortable and it’s a clean sheet against a good side who are looking to push up the table. You cannot question that.”