READING FC boss Jaap Stam hinted players could be axed from his squad this summer after his team missed out on a spot in the Premier League after a gut-wrenching penalty shootout defeat to Huddersfield Town.

Royals had the advantage in a nerve-shredding Wembley shootout, but misses from Liam Moore and Jordan Obita proved costly and allowed Terriers’ Christopher Shindler to fire the Yorkshire-based club into the top-flight.

There was nothing between the sides and it remained 0-0 after 120 lung-bursting minutes.

But once again Royals were struck by the play-off curse after an agonising sixth defeat in the end-of-season competition.

Stam, who defied critics by guiding Royals to third place in the Championship this season, admitted it will be a tough ask to repeat this season's success.

But the Dutchman will be releaved after Chinese siblings Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li recently completed their takeover of the club, and the Chronicle understands Stam will be offered a cash warchest to invest in new signings.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading keeper Ali Al-Habsi dries his eyes at the final whistle.

Now Royals need to regroup and plan for another season of Championship football and Stam suggested players could be asked to leave to make way for new faces.

“We need to have a look at what we can do,” asserted Stam.

“We don’t want to lose our best players, maybe we need to say to certain players they need to leave so we can bring other players into the squad so we can be more competitive.

“That’s something for us to do in a couple of days but first we need to try and forget this result.”

Reading Chronicle:

Jaap Stam comforts John Swift.

Stam, who recently revealed he is set to remain at Madejski Stadium next season despite several clubs being keen on his signature, admitted he was proud of his players after they lost in dramatic fashion.

Stam continued: “It’s always hard to lose, even if it’s just a league game. What we have achieved this season is great.

"Of course you have to give it your best shot and you give it everything you have.

“Neither side wanted to take a lot of risks.

“We worked our way through it and worked very hard. We got to the shootout and then it’s basically a lottery.

“You practise in training but you can’t create the same atmosphere or the same tension that’s in the stadium.

Reading Chronicle:

A fan looks on after Reading are beaten on penalties.

“The players took their responsibility and did what they needed to do.

“There’s always a possibility you miss, it happens.

“Finals are there to be won and that’s what we tried to do but Huddersfield won it.

“We need to give it another shot next season.”