Roberts: Reading must fix away form to stay in promotion race

Defender Haydon Roberts says Reading's squad is strong enough to challenge for promotion from League One if they can carry their home form onto the road.

Reading defender Haydon Roberts believes the club has the squad to compete for promotion from League One this season, provided it can turn strong performances at home into results away. A 2-0 victory over Notts County on Saturday made it three straight home league wins and left the Royals eighth in the table with 10 points, one point behind the play-off places.

Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, Roberts said the team looks solid at its own stadium but still has details to sort out on the road. Reading has won three of four home games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium yet remains winless in two away matches, with the next chance to change that coming Saturday at Wycombe, a 15:00 BST kickoff.

Reading fell out of play-off contention last season by failing to win any of its final six games, losing four and finishing 12th. Roberts pointed to a deeper squad this time, with Andy Rinomhota fully fit, George Earthy settling in after joining from West Ham, and attacking reinforcements including Jacob Brown from Luton Town and Jamie Reid alongside Jack Marriott. The 24-year-old, who joined from Bristol City in January, also said a minor injury from the start of the campaign is behind him and he is willing to give everything for manager Leam Richardson.

Reading's 14 league goals are joint-second most in League One so far, behind only Stockport County's 16.