With it being a while since our last update, it means we've got a real packed Loan Report this edition, with players going out on loan, coming back from loan, goals, sending-offs and much more.
So without further ado, let's get started.
First up we go to Millwall, where Brian Howard is getting the first-team football he just couldn't get back in Berkshire. Since joining the London club for 3-months, Brian has played in both their matches since then, although the Lions went down 2-1 and 1-0 to Watford and Burnley respectively. While it may not have been the start Brian will have wanted at Millwall, he's at least gone straight into the starting XI and playing matches, the reason he left Reading for their Championship rivals.
McDermott said upon his departure, "Brian feels he is at a stage in his career where he wants to be playing regular first team football and we couldn't guarantee that.
"The way he's conducted himself has been first class. He is a top professional and I've got nothing but positive things to say about him."
Millwall's next game is away to Reading's last opponents Middlesbrough on October 15th.
Next up is Jake Taylor, who moved out on loan for the second time this season, this time to League One Exeter City for a month following an earlier spell at Aldershot.
His time at Aldershot did not really go to plan for the young Welshman with his pitch time being limited to one start and a number of sub appearances. Things seem to be going better at Exeter fortunately, with Jake being involved in both of the Grecian's two league games since his arrival, and appearing to play well up front for City.
Exeter manager Paul Tisdale, who was full of praise for earlier loanee Nicholas Bignall until the striker got injured, was also praising Jake as he joined, saying, "He's a very bright attacking player and has a very good recommendation from Reading, who we trust." While Jake himself told BBC Radio Devon "I want to come here, play games, obviously score goals and help the team get out of the position they're in,"
"Playing week-in, week-out in League football, there's nothing better than going out and experiencing that.
"Playing against people that have been there and done it all is much better for your progression.
Jake was unable to play in last night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy loss to Swindon after being called up for the Wales Under 21 squad. Once he gets back it will be interesting to see if he can continue his good form at a decent level and who knows, he could be the attacking midfielder we've been crying out for recently.
Jake Taylor in the Colours of Exeter City
Non-League Hungerford Town recently made a double-loan swoop for two Reading youngsters, and the pair played in an epic FA Cup battle for the Evo Stik Divison 1 South and West side as they took on higher opponents Weymouth, holding them on Saturday to a remarkable 3-3 draw and then unfortunately crashing out 3-1 at home. The loanees were David Murphy, the Irish Under-19 international who will be familiar to regular readers as he spent time at Cirencester before this move, and the rather unknown Stuart Moore, who became an instant hit.
So who is Moore? Well believe it or not, he's yet another goalkeeper to add to the list of talented shot-stoppers at the Madejski. From Australian international Adam Federici at No.1, we can mention England and Danish Under-21 'keepers McCarthy and Andersen, along with prospect Simon Locke who earned rave reviews while at Basingstoke and finally England Youth internationals Dean Santangelo and Jon Henley. Adding another star to that list sounds ridiculous, but following Hungerford's manager Bobby Wilkinson and Weymouth coach Matt Groves' comments after the game, he sounds like another potential hit.
Wilkinson, who was disappointed with his team's performance in the replay told Newbury Weekly News, "had it not been for a 17-year old in goal, it could have been a lot worse," while Groves said "He was brilliant, he pulled off half a dozen staggering saves" when asked about the Reading academy 'keeper.
Murphy also played in both games, but was unable to find the net and help Hungerford into the 3rd Qualifying Round of he FA Cup.
Hungerford travel to Yate Town in the league on Saturday, and will aim to continue their unbeaten start.
Staying in non-league, Frankie Raymond has seen his spell at Eastleigh end following suspension for an alleged head-butt in a game against Tonbridge a short while ago. With his suspension overlapping his loan period, Eastleigh manager Ian Baird chose to strengthen other areasth his squad players instead of keeping Raymond, and explained his decision with these words:
"It's nothing to do with Frankie's ability it's just that we've got one or two players who can fill the left-back role and we've had to make Frankie the sacrificial lamb because we need to strengthen in a different area.
"I've spoken to Frankie's dad and to Reading's academy manager Eamonn Dolan and explained the situation.
"It's a shame because I would love to have taken Frankie. I felt he was getting better and better as a Conference South player. But I can only have two loans at a time."
Fellow non-league loanee Dean Santangelo is sitll at Bromley, and has featured in two games against Welling in both cup and league, letting in just two goals.
Back to the Football League, and Michail Antonio bagged the winner for Colchester in a 1-0 win away to Colchester at the weekend. U's boss John Ward spoke about the young winger, saying "I've got Michail for another couple of games and there's a third month option, if Reading agree to it. I think Michail would be happy but it depends on whether Brian [McDermott] wants him back. That's out of my hands but we have a chance to keep him for another month and that's something we'd be interested in."
Just the previous week Michail played another key role in a 1-0 win, winning a penalty which led to the winner against Walsall.
With his good form he's set from the start continuing, it will be interesting to see what happens on 15th October when his loan deal expires. With Jimmy Kebe's fitness a worry and Jordan Obita still injured space on the wing for the Royals is available for Antonio, there is a chance he could come back to Reading, but will he want to sacrifice his place at Colchester where he's been playing week in week out?
Irish centre-back Carl McHugh is still starring for Dundalk in the Irish League, although it's been a disappointing couple of weeks for the club. Following an extra-time cup exit to Bohemians, Dundalk lost 2-0 and 3-0 as they slipped to 7th in the table. McHugh's quality may have been shown up while he was on international duty this week, as he missed his first Dundalk game since joining in July and they crashed to a 5-0 defeat.
Just 3 more games remain in the season over in Ireland, and McHugh will hope to end a brilliant spell on a high.
Finally, we can't go without mentioning the unfortunate Brett Williams, who's injury problems since turning pro have continued to plague him at Rotherham, as he still hasn't added to his debut last month, returning to Reading for a short while as he recovers.
We wish him a speedy recovery and hope when he returns he can start scoring goals and playing games for the Millers.
