Five Reading FC players looking for a fresh start under Clement

Reading striker Joseph Mendes. Credit: Peter Bloodworth

The arrival of Paul Clement has given all of the Reading FC squad a fresh start at making their mark at the club.

The new boss, who guided the side to a 1-0 win over QPR in his first game in charge on Good Friday, has given each player a clean slate to prove themselves over the coming weeks.

Royals have a large squad with a number of players also out on loan and it's both sets of players who will be battling hard for a starting spot for the rest of the season and over the summer.

Here are five fringe players at the club who will be looking to enjoy a fresh start under the new boss.

George Evans

Former manager Jaap Stam talked highly of Evans but never gave him a run of games in the side.

The midfielder has only made eight league starts all season and has failed to nail down a regular starting spot.

You won't get anything spectacular from the former Manchester City man, but the 23-year-old is a tidy player and someone you can rely on to put in a solid performance in central midfield.

Sone Aluko

Reading's Sone Auko. Credit: Eddie Greville

The winger has endured a highly disappointing season in a Royals shirt after a big-money move from Fulham, although if last Friday's game against QPR is anything to go by then the change in manager may have done the trick.

The 29-year-old is a highly skilful player but has been unable to turn in a 90-minute performance so far for Reading.

The sublime solo strike against QPR shows promise and hopefully Clement can rejuvenate him in the coming weeks so Royals fans can see the best of him for the rest of the season and beyond.

Yakou Meite

Nothing can be done at the minute regarding the winger's season-long loan move to Ligue 2 side Sochaux (he can't and won't be recalled).

However, the former PSG man will have a year left on his contract when he returns to Reading over the summer and will fancy more of an opportunity at Reading having been frozen out under Stam.

The 22-year-old did not make much of an impact at Royals in his first season last year in Berkshire but could see 2018/19 as the season to make his mark in English football.

Adrian Popa

Adrian Popa made just three starts for Reading in the first half of the season. Credit: Eddie Greville

The Romanian was sent out on loan in January to Saudi Arabian club Al-Tawooun and it appeared his Royals days were over.

However, the winger, who provides a decent option down the right flank with his electric pace, is contracted with Reading until June 2020.

Popa will feel he was hardly done by under Stam after impressing when given a chance and a new start under Clement over the summer could be just the start he needs to flourish in a Royals shirt.

Joseph Mendes

Joseph Mendes in training. Credit: Peter Bloodworth

Injuries have not been kind to the frontman which has seen him limited to bit-part appearances.

The former Le Havre striker is out of contract in the summer so does not have long to impress Clement and his coaching staff.

Mendes is nearing full fitness though following a serious knee operation so could get a chance between now and the end of the season to prove himself.

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