Ruben Selles is 'the manager of the last 18 months', says Peterborough United chief

Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson has labelled Reading manager Ruben Selles 'the manager of the last 18 months' ahead of this afternoon's meeting.

Returning from the final international break of the season, the Royals- and more than 1,000 travelling supporters- will be looking to win at London Road for the first time since 2001.

On Boxing Day, Selles' side drew 2-2 against Posh, who eventually lost in the play-offs.

Ferguson, who has twice taken the club into the Championship, rates the Spaniard highly and is expecting an entertaining encounter on Saturday.

Speaking to the club media ahead of the match, the son of Sir Alex said: "This will be a tough game. They have a similar age profile to ours. They play good football and we will have to be good in and out of possession. I think their manager deserves a huge amount of credit, they have probably gone under the radar a bit, but for me, he is the manager of the last 18 months given what he has had to deal with on and off the pitch."

As Ferguson alluded to, Selles has navigated a trickier path than most in the EFL, leading the club through choppy waters off the field as the ownership crisis looks set to roll into its third separate year.

Without any strong light at the end of the tunnel, Selles continues to battle the odds to keep the Royals in touching distance of the play-offs after overturning a 10-point deficit last season to survive in 17th.