Reading manager Nigel Adkins has urged the club's supporters to give their full backing to the players as they try to claw out of the relegation zone.

The 48-year-old, who replaced Brian McDermott at the Madejski Stadium last week, will go up against his former club Southampton this weekend.

"[The fans play] a massive role," Adkins told the club's official website. "We've all got to be together, they've got to drive the players on.

"I want the players to pass the ball and to do that there needs to be no reprisals if they give the ball away, because it is a decision making process to pass it and sometimes the ball will go astray.

"But I want them to pass the football so they've got to know they can do that with the supporters being appreciative of the way they want to go and play and being supportive of them. I know we'll get that because everyone, if you're a Reading supporter, you just want Reading Football Club to do well."

The Royals are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table, seven points away from safety.