Reading manager Mark Bowen has urged his players not to get carried away after Reading’s recent run of form.

The Royals picked up four consecutive victories over the Festive period, but Mark Bowen said that it is his job to ensure the players remain focused on continuing to climb the table.

“Communication has got to be right, all of the time. We’ve got to be constantly talking to them [the players] and remind them of what is expected from them.

“If you don’t have that communication, players and staff can perhaps listen to the media side of things too much and you do get ahead of yourselves quickly.

“We’ve done fantastically well, but all we’ve done is put ourselves in the race for one of those promotion spots.”

Mark Bowen addressed the speculation surrounding full back Tyler Blackett, with two Turkish sides, Trabzonspor and Fenerbache, reportedly vying for his signature.

“I know he’s out of contract at the start of the season and the club has started talking to him. I see bits in the papers about this club and that club, I would say to that ‘why wouldn’t they be?’

“At the same time, personally nobody has told me anything. I’ve heard nothing from the chief executive saying that there’s been contact - I’m happy about that!

“It does gee us up a little bit to get a move on and get a conclusion to it [Blackett’s contract situation]”

Reports in the media today suggest that Reading are fighting Stoke City and Cardiff City to secure the signing of Shrewsbury’s Josh Laurent.

Bowen confirmed that Laurent is on his radar as the side look to strengthen in the January window.

“All I’ll say on that one is that I know the boy, I know he’s a talented player and he is one that a number of clubs could be interested in. Yeah, he’s on our radar, but no more than that.

“There’s a number of players who we look at and think that he could be a possibility for us and we will keep an eye on that situation.”