Reading FC boss Veljko Paunovic has been speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's home clash with Watford.

Reading currently sit joint top in the Championship, boasting a 100 per cent record from the opening three fixtures.

Watford boast a similarly impressive record at the beginning of the season, having won twice and drawn once in the opening three fixtures.

The Hornets currently find themselves in fifth spot.

Speaking on the challenge that Watford will provide Reading, Paunovic said: "Every opponent is a special opponent. We have a special approach and preparation for every opponent.

"Also, we prepare ourselves for what we can do and what we can control, like we have done so far.

"We have full respect for our opponent, but when we get on the field, we will be ready to compete against a team that is performing very well with a very good squad and coaching staff.

"These are all plusses, but we have a lot of plusses too."

Paunovic does face somewhat of a selection dilemma ahead of this weekend, with a number of first team players including Andy Yiadom, John Swift and Felipe Araruna all ruled out of the fixture.

Paunovic did, however, give a promising update on the fitness of star striker Lucas Joao.

Joao sustained a dislocated shoulder in the win against Cardiff City last weekend, but could return against Watford this weekend.

"Surprisingly, to be honest, he is healing has been very good and he will be a last minute decision, given the great recovery he has had.

"We will see on Saturday. He's a very important player for the team in the long-term so we will make the decision strategically on what we need moving forward.

"Felipe's MCL is affected, 8-10 weeks we were told. Yiadom and Swift have medium to long-term injuries.

"Swift is doing well, after nine days of his injury he looks good - that's obviously good to hear. We'll assess him week by week, but given the nature of his injury he needs time."

It's been a frustrating week on the transfer front for Reading.

The club had expected to wrap up a deal for Athletico Madrid's Rodrigo Riquelme, although a late swoop from AFC Bournemouth saw the playmaker sign on loan on the South Coast, despite spending a number of weeks with the squad.

Speaking on the transfer, Paunovic said: "There are always three parties in football. The third party came in with a better offer for the player [Riquelme] and you have to be ready to accept this.

"We did our best, but somebody else came on the other side and promised maybe something better.

"We have a strong team, a strong spirit, a group that wants to work and excel and that keeps me very calm and confident that we will keep improving.

"I don't want to worry about the things I can't control.

"We will learn from the mistakes and experiences we had during this transfer window but moving forward we are looking to be successful in everything we do."