READING'S new boss Paul Clement will turn to experience as part of his plan to save Royals' season with just eight games remaining.

The former Swansea City boss – who penned a three-year deal at Madejski Stadium – said he was delighted with the opportunity to join Reading.

However, he admitted confidence in the camp is at an all-time low and stressed he will need to mentally prepare his squad before they face Queens Park Rangers next week.

And with Royals hovering just three points above the Championship drop zone, Clement admitted some of the younger players in the squad could miss out on the run-in.

“If they're good enough then they're going to get opportunities,” asserted Clement.

“I've always viewed it like that. I have a lot of experience working in youth football.

“I understand the importance of giving youth the opportunity at this club.

“I know it's a tradition for this club to give the youth opportunity but the most important thing at the moment is results.

Clement has four full training sessions to work with the squad before they welcome Rangers to Madejski Stadium next Friday night.

And the 46-year-old said he was relishing the prospect of getting to work at the Hogwood Park training ground.

“The objective for me is to work with the players we have,” stated Clement.

“This is a team that has underachieved. Now we need to get them playing to their potential.

“It's a good squad of players. We have players who can score goals, pacey wingers. I know some players have struggled with injury but there are some that are close to getting back fit.

“I will be giving my everything to get them prepared and get them confident when they play against QPR.”

Royals face a tough end to the season with the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham and Cardiff City all left to play.

But a confident Clement continued: “If the players play to their potential and we manage to get some ideas across very quickly, get an early win and build some confidence then they are all winnable games.

“When I first took charge at Swansea we had a game that night and we won it but this is a better situation.

“I have four good training days with the players and the next 24 hours to meet the back-room staff. “We have a chance to be well prepared for next Friday night and we will be well prepared.

Clement officially took charge of Reading last Friday after jetting to Berkshire from a holiday in Los Angeles.

He has been out of work for three months since being dismissed from Swansea City back in December, which he insisted was “three months too long”.

The Wandsworth-born manager, who held roles as assistant coach at European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, said he grasped the opportunity to take over from Dutchman Jaap Stam.

“It's a really good opportunity,” beamed Clement.

“It's a club that I have always respected.

“Reading's academy has always been very strong and at senior level they have always been very competitive in the Championship.

“Having spoken to Ron Gourlay and the owners, there is an immediate aim to secure the club's position in the Championship with eight games to go but beyond that there is an ambition to take the club further forward.

“The club wants to be in the Premier League and I have the ambition to coach at that level again.”

Royals confirmed assistant manager Andries Ulderink and first-team coach Said Bakkati have also departed the club.

Clement is in negotiations with a new assistant – believed to be former Royals assistant boss Nigel Gibbs – and a first-team coach.

He continued: “We are in negotiations with two people that I have worked with previously.

“Hopefully that will be resolved in the next couple of days.

“I'll also look to the existing staff that are here, Michael Gilkes, Dave Beasant and Ged Roddy who have a lot of experience.

“It will not be me turning it around, it will be us.”

Supporters were often critical about former boss Stam's passing and possession style of play.

And new man Clement stressed he was keen to get his tactical ideas across to the players as soon as possible.

He concluded: “I always try to get balance in the teams that I work with. Neither more offensive or defensive just good balance.

“I want a good attacking team, organised and solid defensively and well organised at set plays just to give us the best chance of winning. We won't be overly open or openly defensive.”

His first match in charge is against QPR on Friday.