“I’ve been to Birmingham, which was a similar situation [off-field issues],” he explained at St James’ Park.”I spoke with the manager coming in, I trained for a week or so before signing, and it energised me.” The style of play energised me, and the training ground and amenities are fantastic. It’s a massive club, and I’m confident that we’ll get promoted this season. Nothing beats winning and being a part of something that is winning, regardless of league.

“I could have gone to Championship clubs, but they wouldn’t have been pushing for promotion, and I just wanted to have fun.” I’ve had six years of trying to escape relegation at Birmingham, and it’s been tough. was not as enjoyable as I had hoped near the end of my career. I want to enjoy it, and I thought this was the ideal location.

“There are no guarantees, but you must aim high.” A club like Reading, with the management and players we have: we can’t be naive; we know what is necessary and what is expected. I believe we can accomplish it, and if you don’t believe you can, there’s no point in even discussing it. That’s what I’d like to accomplish this season. We haven’t discussed it as a squad, but I’m sure everyone else believes the same thing.”

Reading have won two league games under Selles so far, but they only have five points because of a one-point deduction for failing to pay wages on time last season.