Josh Sims could make his first appearance in the starting line up for Reading on Saturday as they look to win their first Championship game of the season.

It hasn't been a great start to the season for either Josh Sims or Reading as the Saints man looks to make an impact on loan in Berkshire, however that could change on Saturday when the Royals travel to Preston.

Reading sit rock bottom of the Championship and have yet to win a game in the League with only two points, their only success so far in the campaign coming in the Carabao Cup where they beat Birmingham City, a game played before Sims joined them.

Both Reading and Sims hope to kick start their seasons when they travel to Preston who themselves sit only just outside the relegation zone on five points and a win for the visitors would leapfrog them above the once Proud Preston.

But so far Sims has yet to make a real impact at Reading, in his first two games he played the last 23 minutes off the bench at both Blackburn and then Villa, two credible draws for Reading's only points of the season.

He might have hoped for a start in the following game another Carabao Cup tie this time home to Watford where the pack was shuffed, but he was still on the bench although he came on early in the second half in a 2-0 defeat.

His fourth game saw him come into the fray against Sheffield Wednesday on the hour mark with the Royals 2-0 down, they soon pulled one back but that would be the end of the scoring.

On Saturday they travel to Reading and defeat could see them losing touch with those just outside of the bottom three, so they really need a win.

Josh Sims though really needs a start, there were those Saints fans upset that he had been allowed to go out on loan, saying he should be in the first team rather than the likes of Nathan Redmond, but the truth is Sims needed to get game time under his belt only playing a fringe role at St Mary's over the past couple of years.

He is an undoubted talent, but if he is to make a career at St Mary's he needs to get experience of starting games and playing 90 minutes.

To do that though he must first impress Reading manager Paul Clement and so far he doesn't seem to have done that only being used as an impact player off the bench, but that could change on Saturday and the hope is that Sims get a start and makes the most of it, he has the talent, but he needs to find something that is still missing from his game at the moment and that has prevented him making a real breakthrough at St Mary's so far.

I have every confidence that he will come back to St Mary's next season and be a real asset to the side, but this is his make or break season for his career in some respects, he needs to be starting games and shining at Championship level.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 10:18 - Sep 12 I hope that Josh does get his chance to start, especially as Reading have reached the bottom of the " Championship barrell " a.t.m. and are seemingly out of ideas ...and form. It has been seen that, far from giving loaness a fair chance to play, many managers just want "a few extra bums on their bench," and rarely give newcomers a real opportunity . Those fans who have watched Josh play in U23s know the quality he brings to the team, and he didn't disgrace himself during those few match minutes he had last season, and indeed was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet on several occasions. So if Reading are standing for Josh's salary (?) then they ought to get the chance to see exactly what they are paying for. I'm sure he won't disappoint .

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GeordieSaint added 20:41 - Sep 12 He won the last minute penalty against villa which simultaneously won them a point and wrecked my accumulator in the cruelest possible fashion.
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