Supporters Trust at Reading [STAR] have issued a statement calling for the club's next update on the sales process to be 'human' and provide 'tangible indicators of progress.'

The club has been up for sale officially since the autumn of 2023 and despite coming close on more than one occasion, Dai Yongge remains at the helm.

Before Christmas, the club promised supporters that it would provide updates on the process 'at least monthly' and the January update is expected in the coming days.

However, with the winter transfer window remaining open until Monday, February 3, and a congested fixture list, the club is likely to delay any update until early February.

Reassuring fans that an update is incoming, STAR have called on the club to provide 'tangible indicators of progress' amid fears of scepticism among a large proportion of the fanbase who have become apathetic and 'lost faith' in the hierarchy.

"On behalf of all Reading fans, we have spoken to the club regarding their commitment to provide monthly updates on the takeover process," the statement said.

"The latest update is due this week. The club has acknowledged this and outlined their intention to release a detailed update next week.

"We put forward our belief that any later would be viewed as unacceptable by the fans and this was acknowledged too. As usual, we expect NDAs to limit precise details, but we would urge the club to remember why the last update was - largely - met with fan appreciation.

"As well as sounding more human, the previous update provided tangible indicators of progress. For a fanbase who are losing (or have already lost) faith in the takeover process, these details are absolutely essential to rebuilding trust between club and fans and if progress has stalled, or is in a particularly delicate phase, plain talking will always be preferred to platitudes."

While this rumbles on, a separate court case between Mr Yongge and prospective buyer Rob Couhig continues to pick up pace as both sides submit lawsuits against each other.