Reading manager Leam Richardson has described Saturday’s match against his former side Rotherham as an “important” game for the club.
It will be the first time the new Royals boss has faced the Millers following his departure in April 2024.
Richardson has managed two games since joining Reading – a disappointing FA Cup defeat at home to National League side Carlisle, followed by a 1-0 league victory over Stevenage.
Reading are currently 18th in League One with 18 points from 15 games, and after their FA Cup exit, are out of all domestic cup competitions.
“We’ve got no distractions and we’ve got 30 plus games to play,” Richardson told BBC Radio Berkshire.
“That’s 93 points to play for, and that’s the main focus for us so everything will be geared towards that.
“This Saturday is very important because it’s three points for a football club that I’m leading and I want to put it in the direction that it deserves to be in.
“It will be a really challenging game for us, but it’s a challenge that we feel we could stand up to.”
Reading were due to play last weekend against Wigan but the game was postponed because of international call-ups.
During the break, they made a second signing since Richardson’s arrival, with the addition of Andy Rinomhota which came after Randell Williams joined on a short-term deal earlier this month.
Rinomhota, 28, returns for his second spell at the club and also previously played at Rotherham on loan under Richardson.
The midfielder could make his second Royals debut on Saturday against his former club.
“First and foremost, he’s a fantastic person,” Richardson said when asked about Rinomhota’s arrival.
“You walk around the training ground, the stadium, and nobody’s got a bad word to say about the person and it’s also compounded with the fact he’s a flawless professional.
“He works hard, takes information in and is a great character within the dressing room. He was a fantastic player for Rotherham and if you replicate what he did in the first stint here anywhere near that now you know it’d be a great signing.
“He was very willing to be part of it here straight away, he made it quite clear, quite quickly that he wanted to work with me again which is nice and he’s up and running and part of the group already.”
