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Reading have a number of players out of loan at the moment and over the course of the season we'll be providing regular updates as to their progress. While the league season doesn't kick-off until next week, the Conference had it's opening round of games this week while there was also action in the first round of the Capital One Cup aka The League Cup.
After the jump we'll take a look at how players such as Karl Sheppard and Michael Hector got on.
Michael Hector - Shrewsbury (League 1)
COC -1R: Leeds Utd 4-0 Shrewsbury:
Defender Michael Hector played the whole 90 minutes as Shrewsbury were thumped 4-0 by Championship side Leeds at Elland Road. Sadly the Royals youngster didn't have the best of afternoons, with the centre back at fault for Leeds second goal when he gifted away possession to goalscorer Luke Varney. 'Big Hec' did have some good moments, though with an effort on goal well blocked but as the Shrewsbury OS admitted it wasn't his best day at the office.
It was certainly a baptism of fire for Hector who has looked so assured in pre-season. He will have endured better afternoons than this for sure but he will be better for the experience and like the rest of his colleagues will be ready for the challenge of League One football starting next week at Bramall Lane.
If you're going to have a bad day it might as well be in the League Cup away at Elland Road and I'm sure Hec will have plenty of good afternoons in the coming months.
Karl Sheppard - Accrington (League 2)
COC - 1R: Carlisle 1-0 Accrington
The Republic of Ireland U21 international played the full 90 as his new side lost 1-0 in Cumbria to League 1 opposition. Stanley had just five shots in the game but Sheppard had one of their best chances after being threaded through 1-on-1 only to see his effort blocked and spin out for a corner. It was good for the Irishman to get a full 90 minutes considering it was his first competitive game since playing against Tottenham in the Europa League at the tail end of 2011.
Brett Williams - Woking (Conference Premier)
Conf Prem: Wrexham 3-1 Woking
The former Eastleigh striker made his debut for Woking against one of the pre-season title favourites Wrexham. Williams played 63 minutes of the game before being subbed off. Williams didn't have too great an impact but did have one effort that went over the bar in the first half.
The Royals also have a couple of other players out on loan in defender Angus MacDonald who's with AFC Wimbledon and Joseph Mills who's out with Burnley, but neither player's team was involved in action this weekend. We'll have another loan update next weekend here on The Tilehurst End.