Reading captain Lewis Wing has spoken glowingly of teammate Harlee Dean, praising his performance against Cambridge after difficult 12 months.

The vastly experienced defender made more 200 appearances each for Brentford and Birmingham City before linking up with the Royals last summer.

Despite playing semi-regularly at the start of Ruben Selles' tenure, the 33-year-old was dropped in November 2023 and played just two minutes of League One football in the next six months.

Remaining unfancied under Selles until his exit in December, Dean started in the 3-1 victory over Cambridge United on New Year's Day, his first League One start for nearly 18 months (October 2023).

Originally due to start on the bench, Amadou Mbengue was struck down with illness and was unable to play, with Dean being named as his replacement with under an hour before kick-off.

Impressing throughout and being serenaded off the pitch by the sell-out travelling support, Dean could start in Saturday's trip to Charlton Athletic due to injury and illness in the Reading back-line.

Speaking after the win at the Abbey Stadium, Wing ensured Dean received praise after a tough time at the club.

"What Harlee Dean has been through in the last 18 months that he has been here, it’s a credit to him what he did today. He kept the ball out the back of the net in the first half with a couple of big blocks. I’m so pleased he got through the 90 minutes and showed his class.

"If you see him around the dressing room and the training ground, he’s perfect for this squad. It’s a shame he hasn’t been getting his chances but today he certainly took it."