Reading star John Swift has revealed the big influence of former Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard on his career.

The 21-year-old left Stamford Bridge last summer and has scored nine goals in his first season at the Madejski Stadium to help lead Reading to third and within today's game of the Premier League. And the similarities between Swift and Lampard are obvious.

“I asked to have a conversation with Frank when I was younger," said the England Under-21 man ahead of their defining play-off final with Huddersfield.

“I play in the same position and wanted to see what he was like at my age and what he did and didn't do.

“It was only a 20-minute chat but he was the one I looked at and wanted to be like. He was a top player who scored a lot of goals from midfield.

“He was a good goalscorer so as a midfielder who can score goals you are different. To add goals to your game was a massive thing and after that chat I started to do so. Thankfully I did."