READING FC captain Paul McShane stressed Royals need to bring in winners this summer if they want to improve next season, writes Jim Tatum.

The 32-year-old urged Ron Gourlay and Brian Tevreden to identify transfer targets with the desire to push Reading up the league table.

Royals' 0-0 draw with promoted Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon saw them finish in 20th place in the Championship, a stark contrast from their third-placed finish the year before.

Speaking after the game, boss Paul Clement hinted there will be comings and goings when the transfer window re-opens on May 17.

And centre-back McShane said Royals need to be selective in their recruitment.

"It’s about bringing in the right characters for the team," stated McShane.

"We need to bring in winners, people with hunger and desire to actually do well.

“That’s half the battle – getting the right people through the door.”

Sunday's stalemate saw Reading avoid relegation to League One by the skin of their teeth.

But McShane skipper warned his team-mates they will face the drop next season if they fail to make drastic improvements.

He continued: “We’re just happy now that the season’s come to an end and we’ve escaped, but we can’t do that again because we won’t escape next time.

“We were so close (to promotion) last season, then to have the season we’ve had is mentally hard to take.

“Looking at the celebrations out there today, we have to use that as motivation for next season.

“We want to draw a line under this season and just look forward now.”

Reading's season was marred by a barren run of just one win in 18 league games.

A change in manager saw former boss Jaap Stam replaced by Paul Clement.

Eight points in the final eight games was enough to see Royals finish three points above the relegation zone.

And McShane said: "Since he’s [Clement] come here the objective was to keep us in the league.

“He had to tweak things here and there, but he didn’t have much time to make a whole lot of changes.

“He’s got the job done and I think he’s glad now the season has come to an end and now he can focus on pre-season and get us ready for the first game of next season.”

McShane made a long-awaited return from injury against Cardiff, coming on as a late substitute to replace Sone Aluko.

He concluded: “Getting a few minutes at the end of the game was a real positive for me.

“I hope I can play my way into his (Clement’s) plans, hopefully get a good pre-season under my belt and crack on.”