Brian Howard has urged his teammates to do everything they can to get three points on the opening day of the Championship campaign for new-boy Marcus Williams.

Reading face Williams’ old club Scunthorpe United in just two days at Madejski Stadium (3pm kick-off) and midfield dynamo Howard believes they also owe the Iron after dashing their promotion hopes last season.

Royals drew 2-2 at Glanford Park in April to end their play-off aspirations and that result also ensured Nigel Adkins’ side were safe from relegation.

But this time round, the 26-year-old is keen to make amends for that result.

He said: “It’s a big day for Marcus being at Scunthorpe for all of his career. So we want to make sure we get three points for him and get him off to a good start down here.

“Willow will know them best, but they’ve had a lot of changes. They could put out a younger side that are chomping at the bit ready to go.

“I think it will be a difficult game, but there are no easy games.

“We’ll treat it like we do every other game and make sure that come 90 minutes we’ve got three points on the board.”

Howard and his team-mates had to watch as Scunthorpe fans invaded the pitch at the whistle when the sides last met, but this time round he’s hoping for a much better ending to the game for loyal Royals.

He added: “At the end of last season the supporters were fantastic. They turned the Madejski Stadium into a real tough place to come to and the relationship works both ways.

“When they’re right behind us they are an extra man, but we have to perform to get them behind us.

“I’m excited, there’s a great feeling around the place and there’s something brewing here. Saturday is a great opportunity to get three points on the board and build from there.

“We’ve played some good stuff and with this group of players we have a great team spirit and know what it takes to win games.”

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