New Reading boss Nigel Adkins says he hasn't sat on his hands since he was sacked by Southampton.

He has spent the past two months travelling Europe studying coaching techniques.

In that time Adkins also consulted Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson and England's 2003 assistant coach Andy Robinson on how to save his side from the drop.

Adkins said: "I had dinner with Jonny Wilkinson.

"I wanted to see the mindset of the top players. It was great to speak with Andy about the concepts of building a team.

"Everyone has written us off but it is a great challenge, isn't it? Let's go for it."