Reading FC manager Paul Ince believes that his side will improve defensively once players return from injury.
Central defenders Tom McIntyre, Naby Sarr, Scott Dann and Liam Moore are all currently out on the sidelines.
The Royals are away in Tenerife on a training camp during the World Cup break and are hoping to recover players soon.
“We’re 24th in the league as far as conceding crosses. That looks dire but when you look at all the centre halves we’ve had out, that wouldn’t be the case,” said Ince.
“It’s something we’ve done a look of work on and we know that will change once we get our big centre halves back.
“We need to improve on stopping crosses, we allow too many into our box.
“We’ve always got to be flexible. It’s not ideal because we still have centre halves out and Baba is at the World Cup.
“We played a back four last year. We’ve played a three this year because last year we leaked too many goals.
“We can be flexible in how we set up and at times I’d like us to be more attacking.”
Ince believes that having Sarr and Moore back in the squad will be like new signings.
Sarr has played just two games since signing in the summer on a free transfer. Meanwhile, former club captain Moore has not featured for the Royals since last season.
After he was stripped of the captaincy at Reading, he went out on loan to Stoke City and endured a knee injury which has kept him out for several months.
Ince continued: “When we get all our centre halves back then we’ve got a decision to make. It will be nice to have that problem.
“Naby is probably back next week but he’s not played any games since Sheffield United. He will need at least two games to get up to scratch with the boys. He had no pre-season.
“He looked great against Millwall and then pulled his calf against Sheff United. I want players who can play 46 games a season.
“It will be like having a fresh face. Naby and Liam will be like two new signings.
“It’s not been ideal for what we had planned and prepared but we’ve done some good work.
“I think we will have Tom Mac back. Hutch will be back. Liam Moore no, he’s trying really hard but it will be another three or four weeks.
“Scot Dann is doing a bit of work on the grass. Joe Lumley will be back and it will be touch or go whether Naby (Sarr) is back for Coventry or Birmingham.
We’ve got to be careful. We want to throw Naby back in because we know how good he is but we’ve got to make sure when they are back that there isn’t a repeat with the injuries.
“We have to get some games in him.”
