In a controversial January transfer window, with some players sold before alerting boss Ruben Selles, Reading lost five first-team players for little value in what looked to be a tough battle to stay in League One.

One sold player, namely Tom Holmes, returned immediately from Luton Town to play for his boyhood club on loan for the rest of the season.

With hindsight, supporters need not worry as the Royals finished a comfortable nine points clear of the relegation zone, and that was taking into account a fresh points deduction.

Take a look below at how the four January exits have fared in their first half-seasons away from Berkshire.

Reading Chronicle:

Tom McIntyre- Portsmouth

A tough one to judge, 25-year-old McIntyre ended his 16-year association with his boyhood club to move to promotion-chasing Portsmouth.

The defender, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, featured 11 times for Reading in the first half of the campaign and managed just 54 minutes for Pompey as his debut could not have gone much worse.

Sent off, incorrectly, and receiving a season-ending injury, the former Scotland youth international missed the entire run-in as his new employers returned to the Championship for the first time in over a decade by winning League One.

Now back in the second tier, McIntyre will have to prove his worth back in the Championship- a division he has spent almost the entirety of his career to date.

Reading Chronicle:

Nelson Abbey- Olympiacos

A big miss for supporters, 20-year-old Abbey rose through the ranks with his boyhood club and made a first-team spot his own this season, breaking through and catching the eye.

Making 26 appearances, he became one of Selles' star performances and it was no surprise to see interest from around the world in January.

Ultimately, Greek giants Olympiacos proved too good to turn down, where the youngster has since played four times.

In the Europa League final, along with former Royal Omar Richards, Abbey will look to nail down a regular starting role over the summer.

Reading Chronicle:

Caylan Vickers- Brighton and Hove Albion

19-year-old Vickers impressed with the Under-21s early on and it did not take long for Selles to draft the midfielder into the first-team fold.

Making 22 first-team appearances in his debut campaign, the affectionately nicknamed 'Cheeks' signed a long-term deal with Brighton in January, linking up with the youth team to begin with.

Already coming up against the Royals, and on the receiving end of a heavy score line, the teenager has scored once in nine PL2 appearances for the Seagulls.

Don't be surprised to see the attacking midfielder on loan in the EFL next season.

Reading Chronicle: Taylan Harris and Harvey Knibbs

Taylan Harris- Luton Town

18-year-old Harris featured for the Under-18s, Under-21s and first-team in the early parts of the season, scoring his only Reading goal in the historic 9-0 win over Exeter City in the EFL Trophy.

Following Holmes to Kenilworth Road, the young Turkey international is yet to appear for the Hatters in competitive action.