Reading's reserves cruised past Queens Park Rangers with a 3-0 victory at Hogwood Park on Tuesday afternoon, and the game saw Marek Matejovsky make his comeback from injury and Zurab Khizanishvili pull on a Reading shirt for the first time.

Full back Julian Kelly also returned from a lengthy lay-off, finally shaking off a shoulder injury to begin his quest for match fitness.

Khizanishvili began the game in the centre of midfield but switched to a more familiar centre back position after the early withdrawal of young defender Michael Hector.

The home side began proceedings at a high tempo, dictating the play and deservedly taking the lead midway through the first period as Alex Pearce headed home a James Henry cross.

The second string doubled their lead after 35 minutes as Nicholas made it four goals in two reserve outings, sending home a rocket after neat work from strike partner Hal Robson-Kanu.

Robson-Kanu rounded off proceedings with a well-earned goal with 15 minutes left on the clock, latching on to a pass from substitute Jake Taylor before clipping home.

"It was a good performance, I know Brian McDermott and Nigel Gibbs would have been pleased by it and that's the important thing," said Eamonn Dolan, who once again took charge of the team.

"We played at a high tempo from the start, and it was good for the young boys to play with some lads with first team experience. Marek, Zurab and Tabby set brilliant examples for the less experienced lads."

Reading XI: Hamer; Cummings, Kelly, Hector (Taylor 15), Pearce (c); Khizanishvili, Matejovsky (Davies 45), Henry, Tabb; Bignall (Bell-Baggie 70), Robson-Kanu
Unused sub: Jack Mills