Local children recognised for their bravery at the recent 'Pride of Reading' awards have enjoyed a special day at the Royals' Hogwood training base, after receiving a personal invite from manager Brendan Rodgers.

Kiana Gooding and Dean Ellis wrapped up warm to watch the club's first team stars strut their stuff on the training pitch, before taking up the opportunity to meet the players and management in person after the session.

Both kids took the chance to do a bit of autograph hunting and also posed for pictures with many of the squad, who went out their way to make the visitors feel as welcome as possible.

"I went to the Pride of Reading awards and felt very humble in the company of these people who showed such bravery and gave us such inspiration," said Brendan.

"I felt that it would be good, as some of them were Reading fans, to come and meet some of their heroes and be around this environment. I also think it's good for the players to see these brave young people, I know they already respect that they're in a wonderful situation as a footballer, but sometimes when something is in front of you and you see young children in life who have done something brave it makes you feel how lucky they are."