Jose Gomes says it is up to Reading’s current crop to dig themselves out the Championship relegation zone.
Loan signings Lewis Baker and Ovie Ejaria arrived this week, with another incoming likely ahead of Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest at Madejski Stadium (3pm), but the Portuguese boss has warned his current squad not to expect miracles from the new faces.
“Ejaria and Baker are able to be involved on Saturday,” said Gomes.
“But we will see. They can help the team but even if we bring more players in, they are not the solution.
“The solution must come from the players that already started the season.
“We cannot move 25 players out. If the players that already started pre-season stay in their comfort zone and think now the new players will resolve our problems, it’s a big mistake.
“The problem must be solved by the players that were already here.
“They are part of the problem, but they will be solution.”
Gomes has overseen a January overhaul with while Pelle Clement, Dave Edwards and Josh Sims departing the first team squad, while Adrian Popa has also gone out on loan.
And Gomes believes there is still work to do to trim the squad with Vito Mannone, Marc McNulty, David Meyler and Sam Baldock among the players yet to feature since the new boss arrived last month.
“Maybe five or six more will leave I think,” he said.
“I don’t like big squads but if you ask me would I like one more player to come in, yes I would.”
Gomes will have more players to choose from this weekend, as the Royals look to cut the five-point gap to safety, with Leandro Bacuna and Tyler Blackett both returning from suspension while Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is expected to be fit having missed the defeat at Manchester United.
Tiago Ilori is also available, having shaken off the knock which forced him off at Old Trafford, but John O’Shea is ruled out.
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