Former England star Carlton Palmer has encouraged Reading to offer manager Paul Ince a new contract.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United midfielder, who earned 18 England caps in the 1990s, has hit out at those calling for Ince's head and has called for realism amid recent disappointing form.

Slipping out of play-off contention, the Royals have won once since December and are sat in 16th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Despite sitting higher in the Championship table than many had expected, the style of play and lack of scoring chances is testing the patience of the supporters- especially on the road.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: "He’s overachieved this season, so of course people get carried away when they were in a play-off spot and they were punching, but they were punching above and if you listen to Paul’s interviews, all he kept saying is I want to get to the 50 [points] mark and keep us in the division.

“That’s all he kept saying. He never got carried away with it when they were winning and doing well. So nothing’s changed for me. How many points they’ve got now, I think 41 points, probably nine points from safety.

If he achieves that he should be applauded, we shouldn’t be talking about his position as manager of the football club. They should be talking about giving him a new contract.”