Roberts: We have progressed

Jason Roberts has said the team is being built for big heights and hints that the current squad could even be better of the Championship winning one 18 months ago.

The 35-year old, who still has a year left on his current contract, has not played for the Royals since the start of December, due to a hip injury. It is unlikely that Roberts will be fit for the start of the season, but is encouraged by the teams current progress.

Speaking to the , Roberts said: ‘Is the club in a better position that it was 18 months ago? I think everyone will say that it is. Getting promoted a year ago was a fantastic thing to achieve, and I believe this team will go on to achieve more.’

‘Yes, there has been a change in manager and change in philosophy – but those are real men in the dressing room and I believe that they will come good. Success for this side isn’t just promotion, but staying in the Premier League. We understand it won’t be easy but we want to bounce back at the first available opportunity.’

Fair comments from Roberts and he is very much talking long-term, especially when we says ‘they’ rather than ‘we’. He is a great guy to have about the place, but I highly doubt he will be able to recreate his form at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.