Reading boss Ruben Selles believes working in the difficult circumstances he has had to at the club has made him 'a better coach and a better person.'

The Spaniard took over in the summer following relegation to League One and has had to contend with transfer embargoes, points deductions and a squad overhaul.

Currently three points clear of the relegation zone, the Royals were as high as 16th until Tuesday afternoon when the EFL deducted two more points- making it six for the season- for HMRC-related issues.

Quizzed on what motivates the former Southampton boss to remain in Berkshire, when there are no doubt easier roles out there in the world of football, the much-travelled coach said: "The easiest way is to say no [would you take the job if you knew what was coming], if you knew that you were going to be in all this trouble, because nobody wants to go into that situation. The reality is that it has made me a better coach and a better person, going through all those things, so it is what it is.

"I am happy because I’ve met some brilliant people here and the job the boys are doing every day is brilliant. You can see people, in those moments, showing their character. I don’t think anybody will choose the hardest ways to develop themselves."

Reading have just 11 matches to play in the remainder of the campaign, with survival surely up there among the greatest achievements in recent times should the squad manage it with the upheaval they have had to contend with.

More than 1,300 supporters are following the team up to Cumbria on Saturday for a trip to the bottom club, Carlisle United.