Kuhl: I want to stay in the first team

Aaron Kuhl is playing to stay in the first team for the long-term, after training with the senior squad last week.

Along with eight other under 21 players, the young central midfielder traveled with the first team for the Midlands training camp last week. Kuhl was the captain for under 21’s in their Premier League cup win last season, but is planning a long-term future with the Royals.

Speaking to the Reading Post, Kuhl said: ‘I want to get around the first-team this season and stay there, that is my aim. This trip was one of my first first-team group experiences and it was really good. About nine of us went up there from the youth teams.’

‘The gaffer has proved that he will put you in if you`re doing well and deserve a chance. So we will all do our best to try and get the shirts of the senior guys. Even if we don`t manage it, us doing that will push them on to try and keep their place.’

Along with Craig Tanner, Kuhl looks like the most likely and capable of making that step-up to the first team. His tenacity and passing abilities from midfield also suit Adkins’ philosophy – albeit that he hasn’t really had the players to assert his style yet.