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Reading first-team stars continue injury return with cameo in Valencia draw

Reading FC v Cambridge United. Sky Bet League One 24/25. <i>(Image: ©Jason Dawson)</i>
Reading FC v Cambridge United. Sky Bet League One 24/25. (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Reading rounded off their Premier League International Cup with a deserved 1-1 draw against group winners Valencia, with first-team stars Michael Craig and Jeriel Dorsett and starting.

The Royals secured a top six finish in Group A with a tie, Jayden Wareham finishing a smart move shortly before half-time after falling behind inside two minutes.

Craig and Dorsett, approaching a century of first-team appearances, returned off the bench for Noel Hunt in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Stockport County.

Under the management of Peter Scott, Craig, Dorsett and Kelvin Abrefa continued their return from injury with starts against the Spanish giants.

While Craig and Dorsett were taken off early, right-back Abrefa played the entire 90 minutes as Valencia secured top spot with the draw.

The draw rounds off the club's European journey for the season, which has seen a win, a draw and two defeats.

Ajax were beaten in matchday one before Monaco won 3-1 at the SCL Stadium.

Dinamo Zagreb beat Reading at Aldershot Town in November, Hunt's final match before taking charge of the first-team following Ruben Selles' move to Hull City.

Reading travel to in-form Leyton Orient on Saturday, who have not conceded a home goal for over five matches in a run stretching back to November.

Ritchie Wellens' son, Charlie, started for Reading on Tuesday ahead of a second meeting between the Royals and O's on the weekend.

Over 1,100 supporters snapped up the full allocation of away tickets within 48 hours of going on sale.