Reading defender Harlee Dean has spoken of his journey over the past 12 months, becoming a key starter under Noel Hunt.

The experienced EFL performer has well over 400 career appearances to his name, but was dropped in October 2023 and did not start another League One match under New Year's Day.

Coming in at the last-minute for an ill Amadou Mbengue, Dean has been imperious since and is regularly serenaded off the field by the supporters.

Speaking ahead of a trip to Leyton Orient on Saturday, a ground where he was confronted by angry supporters after a defeat last season, Dean spoke of his role under previous manager Ruben Selles and how his age has played a part.

"I got on really well with Ruben. It’s a strange thing to sit here and say because I had never not played in my career. I’ve gotten on a lot worse with other managers. I got on really well with him, I respected him, and I think he respected me. It was a case of sometimes your face doesn’t fit a certain style of playing, in his eyes.

"We haven’t deviated much from what he did defensively. Realistically, I only really got an opportunity out of luck, with Amadou being sick against Cambridge. I was glad that Hunty gave me an opportunity to keep the shirt because I think before I would have played against Cambridge and then put straight back out again anyway. He’s done that with a few- Tiv played well at right-back and he’s given him the opportunity to keep his shirt, and he played the last game as well.

"It is good for the squad because it’s made things a lot more competitive. If you get into the way of keeping the starting 11 regardless of performance, you’ve got lads training who are thinking that they’re not getting anywhere near it. Me being older, I knew I couldn’t let me head get that way, but you have younger lads who it could have affected. I am happy to be playing football, which is all you want to do first and foremost. I am disappointed that I’ve not played anywhere near as much as I wanted to since I’ve been here but now, I have the opportunity to play. If you play well, you deserve to keep your shirt."

When quizzed on how a young Dean would have reacted, having become a fan favourite at Brentford and Birmingham City previously, the central defender added:  "You learn a lot as you get older. You have to pick and choose your battles. Before, I wouldn’t have been as quiet about it or taken as much as I’ve taken.

"There’s lots of things that have happened here that had never happened to me before but being the older one in the squad, you can’t let it break you or let it show that it’s breaking you, so I’ve always turned up. You could speak to anyone here; I’ve always trained hard and been a good person around the place."

Working towards his UEFA A license, the 33-year-old has ambitions to become a Head Coach after playing.

Leyton Orient, sat immediately behind Reading in eighth, have not conceded at home since November.

Over 1,100 travelling supporters snapped up all available tickets within 72 hours.