JAAP Stam says Reading FC and Hull City are yet to hit top gear this season as they prepare to clash at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm ko).

Both sides have struggled for consistency, with Royals winning two out of seven Championship matches with three defeats leaving them 18th in the table.

Tigers, meanwhile, have picked up two wins in eight games and have lost four times.

Both teams also boast an identical goal difference, with Hull one place higher in the table by virtue of goals scored (14 to Reading’s six).

However, Stam suggests a glut of injuries have taken their toll on Reading’s progress so far.

He said: "For them as well, it's not easy to win all your games, same for us.

“It's only the beginning of the league, you're still building on something and getting players back into the squad and getting players fit.

"Eventually, hopefully you get into that rhythm of playing games and getting results.

“Hopefully we can do well on Saturday against Hull."

Royals have been boosted by the return to fitness of Jordan Obita and John Swift this week.

Reading Chronicle:

John Swift made his injury comeback against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Obita has recovered from a long-lasting ankle injury and made his first appearance of the season in Tuesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Swansea City.

Swift made his comeback in that game after a month out, while last season’s 19-goal top scorer, Yann Kermorgant, is also close to a return.

Stam added: "It's always good (having more players). It means we can make choices and we need to have a look at Hull to see what they do and how they play.

"Then it's tactical training and talking with the boys about what we want to do to get a good result on Saturday.

"It's going to be a tough game because they still have a very good side. They've sold a lot of players but they're still a very good team and they still have ambitions to go back up as well."

There have been wholesale changes at Hull since the Tigers were relegated from the Premier League last season.

There were 13 player arrivals and 14 departures during the summer, and boss Leonid Slutsky is struggling for consistency.

Four Royals players will be facing their former club including skipper Paul McShane who spent seven years with Tigers before switching to Madejski Stadium in 2015.

Reading Chronicle:

Paul McShane, here tackling former Royal Steve Sidwell, spent seven years with Hull City. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Sone Aluko spent four years at Hull with McShane before moving to Fulham and then to Reading earlier this summer, while Stephen Quinn was with Tigers for three seasons, though he is unlikely to be involved this weekend.

In addition, Royals keeper Vito Mannone enjoyed a loan spell with Tigers while on Arsenal’s books.

And there will be a welcome return to the Madejski Stadium for defender Michael Hector, who left Reading for Chelsea in 2015 and is now on loan with Tigers.

  • Follow the game live with the Reading Chronicle.