Adkins gets Royals appointment

New manager Nigel Adkins says he cannot wait to set about the task of keeping relegation-threatened Reading in the Premier League.

The 48-year-old was handed the difficult assignment of guiding the Royals away from the threat of falling out of the top flight on Tuesday, after signing a contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2016. Adkins, who was dismissed by relegation rivals Southampton in January, replaces Brian McDermott at the Madejski Stadium. Reading are quoted at 1/16 in the bet365 'to be relegated' market and 8/15 to finish bottom. Speaking for the first time since he left St Mary's, he said: "I've not made any comments since I left Southampton and I want to take the opportunity to thank all the people there. "I thank the fans, the players and supporters. We were on a fantastic journey but we have to move on now." Former physiotherapist Adkins will take charge of first-team affairs for the first time on Saturday when second-from-bottom Reading take on top-four chasers Arsenal. He added: "I am pleased to be the Reading manager. We will take it one game at a time and try and keep this club in the Premier League. "It's a good club, I've been impressed with them and I've always known what sort of club it is. We're in the Premier League and we want to stay there. I am excited."

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