Reading FC academy manager and former Royals legend Michael Gilkes has said last season was a 'vast improvement' for the clubs academy.

A total of 16 academy graduates played for the first team during the 2020-21 campaign for the Royals.

This includes regulars such as Tom McIntyre, Tom Holmes, Michael Olise and recently-departed Omar Richards.

Gilkes praised the contribution that the academy has given to the club and predicted further success in the upcoming season.

The 55-year-old told BBC Berkshire: “It’s fantastic for the club that [youth development] is the foundation, it always has been and long may it continue.

"The reality is that it is only 14 months ago or so that we’ve since competed in two separate seasons. Last season didn’t finish until the back end of July, and then we started up again very quickly for this season.

“This season has again been a vast improvement, the manager and his staff have come in and it’s been fantastic. They have done extremely well.

"It’s again positive progression, and to bring Academy players through, you have to have opportunities.

“The manager has been very good at working with and believing in the young players.

"When you get that chance, you’ve got to take it and a good few of them have.

“Communication levels have to be very high between the first team and academy groups, and currently that’s very positive.

“Hopefully there’s plenty more academy players who go on to represent this club for a very long time.”