Ruben Selles: Reading boss wants players 'fresh' in fight to stay up

Ruben Selles took over at Reading last summer after relegation from the Premier League with Southampton

Reading boss Ruben Selles has stressed the importance of ensuring his players and staff remain "fresh" as they strive to maintain their League One status.

Saturday's 3-1 victory over Carlisle lifted the Royals to 16th place, five points clear of the relegation places.

But only three points separate the teams from 20th to 14th in a tightly-congested lower half of the table.

"The team are motivated - motivated to score goals, win games and get the club back on track," said the Reading boss.

"It's important to have a balance with days off and training. It's about being fresh and competitive and it's important for me that my staff and players feel that way."

After a busy February, Selles has a full week to work with his players before they host Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, followed by a trip to face promotion-chasing Derby County next Tuesday.

Reading were hit with their third points deduction of the season last week as they were docked two more points by the English Football League (EFL).

The Royals have had a further two-point penalty suspended after failing to pay dues to HMRC within an 80-day limit imposed by the EFL.

The club previously had four points deducted for their failure to pay wages on several occasions the previous year.

"You never know what to expect with the hearings," Selles added.

"In the situation we are in, there's no surprise that point deductions are coming.

"We need to do as much as we can on the football side because as the past has shown, they (deductions) can continue to happen."