The 18-year-old featured in all three rounds this season which saw Royals knock out Newport County and Scunthorpe United before losing at Derby County on Tuesday night.

Central midfielder Kuhl has also made three Championship appearances this season aganist Huddersfield, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.

But with Danny Guthrie and Hal Robson-Kanu returning from fitness and with Danny Williams, Jem Karacan and Garath McCleary all due back from surgery, Kuhl’s opportunities appear to be limited.

However, he said: “It has been good building blocks for me.

“I’m trying to push my way into the team and show the gaffer what I’m made of, but I’ve still got a lot to learn.

“It has been a great experience playing in the Capital One Cup and featuring in league games.

“Not only that, but playing against big teams like Derby, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough is great experience, so hopefully I can keep on going.” While promotion remains the priority for Reading this season, Kuhl was clearly disappointed to be on the losing side at the iPro Stadium on Tuesday.

“There were a few positives to come out of the second-half, but sadly we are out of the League Cup,” he confessed.

“We had a few chances in the first-half and we know Derby are good on the ball. They keep the ball well, so we set up to defend against that.

“When we got the ball, it was our time to keep possession and create chances which I felt we also did in the second-half.”

He added: “The lads will learn from it – this is a great experience for a young side and not only that, we have players coming back, so this will be good for the team as we become stronger.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Kelly played 60 minutes on his return from injury as Reading Under 21s lost 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Basingstoke Town’s Soccer AM Stadium. Academy defender Niall Keown scored for the Royals.