Adkins offloaded six senior players over the summer to cut costs, while outcast Royston Drenthe is also certain to depart after the ex-Real Madrid midfielder was not given a squad number for the 2014/15 campaign.

Royals’ boss has supplemented the gaps in his squad by promoting the club’s top Under 21 players to the first team.

With no cash available to spend in the transfer window during the prolonged Samrit Bunditkitsada takeover, Adkins has been left with little choice but to put his faith in the club’s highly-rated Academy stars, winners of the Premier League Under 21s Trophy last season.

However, he admitted they face a tough challenge ahead: “We’ve promoted nine Under 21s into the first team group and they’re doing ever so well,” Adkins explained.

“They have shown a great attitude, ambition and ability. But it’s a big step up, so it’s important we don’t put too much pressure on them. It’s everyone’s responsibility to help them.”

Adkins has an excellent track record of blooding youngsters having promoted England trio Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the first team ranks at Southampton.

And he will be looking for his senior professionals like Chris Gunter, Alex Pearce, Danny Guthrie, Garath McCleary and Pavel Pogrebnyak to help his Royals youngsters settle in quickly.

He added: “We have a young group of players and we have to be protective of them. I’d like to think I’ve worked with players who have gone on to do very well, but when they’ve been brought into the team we’ve looked after them.

“They have not been thrown in and played loads of games, they need to be nurtured. I know the supporters will be right behind them and behind the team.

“Even though we’ve got an average age of 22, the senior players have come through the system so there’s an affinity with the club, a heart and soul. We all want to do well, which will take us a long way.”

Meanwhile, Reading are due to play Exeter City at St James’ Park tonight in their opening pre-season friendly (7.30pm ko).

Adkins’ men will be based in the south west for the remainder of the week and will also take on Yeovil Town at Huish Park this Saturday (3pm ko).

Royals also face away trips to Wycombe Wanderers (July 26) and Stevenage (July 29) before a showpiece friendly against Premier League Swansea City at Madejski Stadium on August 2.

Reading begin the Skybet Championship season with a trip to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, August 9.

Adkins stated: “I’m looking forward to all of the friendlies. We’ve got a young squad so teams will be mixed and playing in different positions. Ultimately we’re trying to build up to the first game of the season, that is our focus.”

Reading FC 2014/15 squad numbers: 1 Adam Federici; 2 Chris Gunter; 3 Stephen Kelly; 5 Alex Pearce; 6 Sean Morrison; 7 Pavel Pogrebnyak; 8 Danny Guthrie; 9 Hal Robson-Kanu; 11 Jordan Obita; 12 Garath McCleary; 13 Reading Fans; 15 Michael Hector; 16 Hope Akpan; 18 Aaron Tshibola; 20 Alex McCarthy; 21 Jem Karacan; 22 Nick Blackman; 23 Daniel Williams; 24 Shaun Cummings; 25 Jake Taylor; 26 Pierce Sweeney; 27 Craig Tanner; 28 Aaron Kuhl; 30 Dominic Samuel; 31 Mikkel Andersen; 32 Sean Long; 33 Shane Griffin; 34 Niall Keown; 35 Jake Cooper; 36 Ryan Edwards; 37 Jack Stacey; 38 Liam Kelly; 39 Tariqe Fosu; 40 Stuart Moore; 41 Daniel Lincoln; 42 Jonathan Henly.