Reading switch Charlton friendly to The Valley

Reading have been forced to move their final pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic to The Valley because of concerns over the condition of the club's newly- laid pitch. The hot, dry weather has affected the growth of the grass at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and with the playing surface unfit, Saturday's match will now be played behind closed doors at Charlton's home ground instead. "This is not a decision anyone at the club wanted to make, but it is the right one," Reading co-chief executive Joe Jacobson told the club wesbite. "We've invested significantly in providing the team with the best possible playing surface for the season ahead. "Unfortunately, the recent spell of hot and dry weather has slowed the development of the new pitch and, after taking expert advice, we've concluded that protecting it now gives us the best chance of having it in the condition we all want for the start of the League One campaign. Reading open their League One campaign at home to Luton Town on 15 August. All the latest Reading news