After failing to beat Benfica and West Ham United in their previous two friendlies, Reading returned to winning ways when they secured a 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Yakou Meite opened the scoring 10 minutes before half time with his third goal of pre-season, before summer signing Jeff Hendrick – who has joined on loan from Newcastle United – fired in a second for the Royals towards the end of the second half.
Paul Ince, who has taken the reins at Reading on a permanent basis following his interim stint last season, has been restricted in the transfer market this summer as the club are under an embargo.
However, veteran striker Shane Long is one of four players to arrive on a free transfer along with Ince’s son Tom Ince, Sam Hutchinson and Dean Bouzanis, while both Hendrick and Joe Lumley have joined on loan.
Reading, who will be hoping to improve on last season’s disappointing 21st-placed finish in the Championship, now have just over a week to prepare for their opening game of the new season away at Blackpool on July 30.
Brighton followed up a goalless draw with Union SG in their opening warm-up fixture with a 4-1 win against Estoril last weekend.
Neal Maupay bagged a brace to put the Seagulls two goals in front, while Kaoru Mitoma and new recruit Deniz Undavwere also on the scoresheet to help Graham Potter’s side win comfortably in Portugal.
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Brighton are yet to make waves in the transfer window, with youngsters Julio Enciso and Simon Adingra the only two summer arrivals at present. The Seagulls have already allowed Yves Bissouma to join Tottenham Hotspur, while the future of left-back Marc Cucurella remains uncertain amid interest from Manchester City.
Potter’s men impressed last season in the Premier League, finishing in ninth place which is their highest-ever top-flight finish to date, and the Seagulls will be hoping to build on their success with another top-half finish in 2022-23.
After Saturday’s friendly with Reading, Brighton are scheduled to face Brentford and Espanyol in warm-up fixtures before beginning the new Premier League season away at Manchester United on August 7.
