Paul Ince is ‘facing the sack at Reading’

Paul Ince is reportedly on the brink of being sacked by Reading following their drop into the Championship relegation zone.

The Royals are in crisis on and off the pitch having now gone eight games without victory under the former Manchester United and England international.

Poor form on the pitch has come at the worst possible time too given the club were also hit with six-point deduction for the second successive season for breaking financial rules of the Football League.

Reading’s latest defeat came in the 2-1 loss at Preston North End on Easter Monday.

According to the Telegraph he is now on the brink of departure and they report his future was discussed on Saturday by the board following Good Friday’s 1-1 stalemate with Birmingham City.

Ince praised his side’s effort but questioned their character following the costly defeat

Paul Potts’ stoppage time winner ensured Reading’s winless streak extended to eight games

Ince’s side looked like they had rescued a point at Deepdale through an 83rd minute Kelvin Ehibhationham equaliser after Tom Cannon had opened the scoring for the hosts just before the hour mark.

However, Brad Potts’ stoppage-time strike inflicted defeat on the Royals who are one point off safety behind Cardiff City although have played one game more than the Welsh side.

After the game Ince questioned the effect of a change of management now and praised the effort his players were giving. However, he criticised their lack of character to get a positive result.

‘Unless you’re going to change something or bring someone else in… I’m not sure what’s going to change’, he told BBC Radio Berkshire.

‘It’s not like the lads are not fighting or playing for me, you see that. Everyone is frustrated.

‘At the end of the day, we are in this position that we’ve been put into (the six-point deduction). You need to think about that when you think about how unfair that is to me and the players.

‘We lack the character to see out…