Reading boss Brian McDermott has paid tribute to Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew.

Pardew will return to the Madejski Stadium with Newcastle on Saturday after serving as Royals boss between 1999-2003.

"Alan Pardew is a good friend of mine and I believe he set the identity for this club over a period of time," said McDermott.

"The tempo of the team, the passing game and work rate are second to none here and he set that trend. That's been our identity for the past 12 years.

"Alan was the man who set Reading on course for the Premier League.

"I hope he gets a good reception on Saturday, but it will be what it will be. Everyone's moved on from when he left for West Ham."