Nigel Adkins backs Reading to bounce back

Reading manager Nigel Adkins has insisted that his players have the skill and experience to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Adkins won promotion last season with Southampton but was unable to stop the Royals from being relegated from the top flight after his appointment in March.

He said that he hopes the experience he gained from his time at the Saints could help Reading stay ahead of the pack in the Championship.

"We know it will be very competitive in the Championship, every club wants to be up there," he told Reading's official website. "Practically every team in there has already been in the Premier League.

"We want to be back in the top flight as soon as possible, we've got players here who've gone course and distance and won the Championship last year so that's a positive for us.

"I've got belief in my own ability but I know you can't do it all on your own. We will push everyone, have the mentality to be the best and we've all got to do it together."

Reading won their first league game for three months when they beat Fulham 4-2 last weekend.