Reading FC manager Velijko Paunovic was in an upbeat mood ahead of his sides trip to Cardiff City on the weekend.

Reading go into the weekend at the top of the table, after two 2-0 victories in the opening two games – away at Derby County and at home to Barnsley last weekend.

The new manager highlighted the difficulties his side may face when they face the Bluebirds in the Welsh capital on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Speaking on the upcoming game, Paunovic said that his side had enjoyed their 'best week of training' under his stewarship, although he's expecting a stern test from Cardiff.

"Our approach is the next game - that’s all we can control.

"We’re preparing with the same passion and attitude and looking at where we can improve.

"We have to be very serious with ourselves and how we prepare, and how we focus our attitudes towards the opponent.

"We have to be at our best and better than we have been so far."

Reading will be without Andy Yiadom, after the full-back sustained a knee injury in the opening day win at Pride Park.

Giving an update into his fitness, Paunovic said: "He's not going to be ready for this game. 

"It's going to be a medium-term injury. We're looking for another assessment from our experts, after the first one said that it'll be a medium-term. 

"He's having treatments that can accelerate the recouperation and after he has the second assessment we'll know where we stand. Next week we'll know better where he is going to be."

This week, the government reversed plans to allow fans to return to stadiums next month, following a sharp rise in the number of new coronavirus cases in recent weeks.

The manager expressed his disappointment at the decision, saying: "I would say that we're all eager to see our fans back, but we have to understand the situation.

"We have to respect and be responsible with what the authorities are recommending, it is just common sense at this point.

"This is what it is, we'll wait for another opportunity to see our fans in a great vibe and supporting the team again."

On the potential of players departing, Paunovic said: "We're close to making those decisions. Next week.

"Some guys will maybe go on loan, I don't think anyone will go on a permanent deal, at this point we do not have anything in place but the decisions we have to make are getting close.

"Nobody so far has asked to leave.

"You can't let someone go out until you bring someone in, at least how that is how we want to work.

"We have targets, you have to look at what will be the best for us. Obviously loans are one way, and we'll see if permanent deals work."

Paunovic said that he wasn't expecting first-team stars to depart the club 'at this point'.

On Rodrigo Riquelme's situation, Paunovic said: "I wish I could tell you more, but all of the circumstances of the times that we're living are making it difficult to close the deal.

"He's still in Reading. We had permission from Athletico to have him in training and now we're looking to extend that. At this point we're still working on it.

"It's obvious we're coming into the last week of the transfer window. We're looking forward to clarifying that very soon."