READING FC star Liam Moore has backed fit-again defenders Tiago Ilori and Reece Oxford to get to grips with Championship football, writes Bethen Hughes.

Ilori and Oxford have returned from lengthy spells on the sidelines through injury and are available for the run-in as Royals close in on a play-off spot.

Teenager Oxford was struck down with a hamstring problem shortly after his loan move from West Ham in January, sparking a disagreement between Reading boss Jaap Stam and Hammers' manager, Slaven Bilic.

But he impressed when he came off the bench in Saturday's 1-0 win against Leeds United and was handed his full debut on Tuesday night in the 3-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers which sent Reading nine points inside the play-off positions.

Moore said: “Reece is very good, very talented and 18 years old. He had to remind me the other day and that makes me feel old at 24.

“He stepped up, the Championship is a bit more physical than the Premier League and he did very well with his headers, his tackles and I thought he had a good game.”

Ilori also made a long-awaited return to Royals' first-team on Tuesday night after suffering ligament damage in a 1-0 win against Fulham in January.

Reading Chronicle:

On-loan West Ham defender, Reece Oxford.

The £3.5m club-record signing from Liverpool came on for the last 20 minutes against Blackburn and clearly impressed former Leicester City centre-back, Moore.

“It's unfortunate for him,” he stated. “He came and did well on his debut against Derby so to pick up a freak injury like he did in the next game against Fulham was obviously difficult, especially at a new club.

“But he's a good guy, he's been good around the lads and he's back. He deserves to be back playing so it's good to see him get some minutes.”

Meanwhile, Royals skipper Paul McShane remains an injury-doubt for Saturday's clash at Norwich City, though Jordan Obita has shaken off cramp issues and will return to the squad.

Moore stressed: “It will be good to have my partner McShane back, he's the main driving force in our team so hopefully his injury is not too long as well.

"We keep picking up a couple of injuries and then a couple more players come back, but if we can get a fully fit squad then we will be a force to reckon with.”