Reading FC are expecting to be hit with a six point deduction by the English Football League (EFL) within the next 48 hours.

That’s according to manager Paul Ince, who spoke to the media on Thursday lunchtime ahead of his side’s Championship clash at Bristol City this Saturday.

The threat of a points deduction has been looming large for Royals ever since it was reported a month ago the club could be punished for alleged breaches of the business plan with the EFL.

READ MORE: Legendary Reading boss Steve Coppell delivers verdict as Burnley eye 106 record

It appears that fate is now about to be realised for Ince’s side amid preparations for the final eight games of the season. Reading currently sit in 18th place in the league standings and nine points above the bottom three.

A six-point deduction would see them drop to 21st place and just three points above the relegation zone.

Speaking about the impact such a punishment would have, Ince said: “It’s going to be tough. If we’d looked at the start of the season, especially with the embargo and the players that have come in, we would have settled for safety.

“I’ve always reiterated that – it’s about staying in the league. We’ve done that really as players and staff, everyone. We’ve achieved 45 points and we’re probably two points away from safety.

“So in our heads, we’ve done our jobs. And then all of a sudden, we get done six points and then you think we haven’t done our jobs and we have to try and stay in the league.

“For players, it’s devastating to be deducted points, especially so late in the season. It can go one of two ways. If we’d have got them at the start of the season, at least you’ve got time to get over it.

“It’s just the timing for me. We’ve had four weeks and the international break but by the sounds of it, it’s coming in the next 24 or 48 hours – it’s going to be imminent – so the timing is not great with eight games to go.

“But it’s coming…we aren’t going to get away with it. We’ve got to pick the boys up and it’s not easy when we have eight or nine first-team players out as it is.”

BerkshireLive will have full coverage of Bristol City vs Reading FC in the Championship at Ashton Gate. Our live blog starts at 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off at 3pm.

READ NEXT