Tom Holmes makes admission over Reading player exit

Reading have seen several of their first-team squad leave already this summer but one player that Tom Holmes didn’t want to see the back of was Josh Laurent, with the player telling Berkshire Live he was ‘gutted’ to see him go.

The Royals struggled at the wrong end of the Championship table last season amid some off-field issues and a points deduction left them scrambling for safety.

In the end, the club managed to steer clear of the drop and secure their place in the second tier ahead of the next campaign. However, new boss Paul Ince will not want a repeat performance and has allowed players to leave to refresh the side so far this offseason.

It was inevitable that there would be interest in some of their better players from teams higher up the pyramid too and it has seen Josh Laurent, arguably one of their most creative players last season, head out of the exit door to join Stoke.

Having featured in 41 league games for the Royals last time out and managed two goals with four assists, his absence in the side will be a big blow to the club.

Tom Holes, the player’s teammate, has emphasised this loss by telling Berkshire Live that he has been ‘gutted’ to see him join up with the Potters and not stay on at the Madejski Stadium.

Speaking about the deal, Holmes said: “With John Swift it felt like it was inevitable, but I was gutted with Josh [Laurent] going to be fair, everyone was gutted.

“He was a massive character and massive for the team over the last couple of years.”

Holmes himself had a solid season, making 32 league appearances, and recently signed his own new contract with the club, but whilst he will continue to play on for Reading he will now have to do it without old teammate Laurent.

The Verdict

Josh Laurent will