READING FC boss Paul Clement has rubbished rumours of a club in crisis and is confident results will quickly improve.

Royals lie bottom of the Championship and without a win this season after six games heading into tomorrow’s clash at Preston North End (3pm ko).

It has been a turbulent week off the pitch after sporting director Brian Tevreden’s shock departure on Wednesday following an alleged fall-out with chief executive, Ron Gourlay.

But Clement strongly disagrees with suggestions there is turmoil behind the scenes at Madejski Stadium.

“I know there's some very negative stuff around the club saying there's disarray and it's a complete mess,” said Clement.

“But that's not true - it's definitely not the feeling I get.

“The owners are disappointed with the start but they believe we will move in the right direction.

“They are very supportive and passionate about the club. Ron Gourlay wants the best for the club and is doing his best to support me.

“We are a lot more cohesive than what some of the noises are saying.”

Reading Chronicle:

Brian Tevreden, right, with former boss Jaap Stam.

Reading have not won a league match since their home victory over Preston on April 7.

And they travel to Deepdale this Saturday having failed to win on their travels since a 3-1 victory at Burton Albion on January 30.

However, Clement’s men are unbeaten in their last two Championship away matches after a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa and 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

Royals’ boss added: “I am realistic about the situation, I don't live in a fantasy world to say we deserve to win all the games.

“We haven't been hammered in every game. We have been 'in' each one and there hasn't been a game where we could not have drawn or won.

“The margins are close so I can say quite clearly the win is not far away - rather than coming on the back of a 4/5/6-0 loss.

“The next six games are very important - up until the next international break. The first six games have not gone well but there's no reason why the next six can't go well.”

Reading Chronicle:

David Meyler is an injury doubt for Saturday's clash at Preston.

Preston have not had the best of starts to the season either and lie 19th in the table after one win in six games.

Alex Neil’s Lilywhites were held to a 2-2 home draw by Phil Parkinson’s Bolton last time out after squandering a two-goal lead.

Clement continued: “I've been there with Chelsea, Derby and now with Reading. They are a decent side with a lot of movement and make a lot of passes.

“We're going to have to defend very well, but I feel we have enough in our team to hurt them.

“In our last two away games we've done okay - at Blackburn and Villa - so going away from home we're confident.”

Reading lost 2-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday last time out to slip to the bottom of the table.

But Clement says his players have been working hard on the training ground during the international break and are confident they are about to turn the corner.

“It's been good,” he explained. “We did four sessions last week and we've done nine now all together.

“We had groups of 16,17,18 so had an in-house practice match and did loads of good things.

“The atmosphere has been positive - that's how we need to be. There's no point dwelling on the past.

“If you don't believe you'll get results then you won't. We are full of belief and confidence we'll turn the corner in the next period.”

David Meyler is an injury doubt, while Callum Harriott, Garath McCleary, Dave Edwards, Jordan Obita and Adrian Popa have already been ruled out.