JODI Jones is on trial at Reading after starting pre-season with Oxford United.

The winger played the second half of the Royals’ 2-0 friendly defeat to Benfica at St George’s Park yesterday.

It comes after Jones, 24, joined the U’s on their pre-season camp in Spain following his release by Coventry City at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

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He was not involved in last Saturday’s friendly at Oxford City and did not train with United in the days leading up to yesterday’s double-header against North Leigh and Banbury United.

Jones was released by Coventry after seeing his six-year spell at the Sky Bet Championship club hampered by three serious knee injuries.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge man played only 12 matches last season after not featuring at all in the 2020/21 campaign.

Head coach Karl Robinson wants six more additions in the transfer window including three wingers, with the U’s desperately short on both flanks.

Marcus Browne, Tyler Goodrham, Ben Davis and Slavi Spasov have started out wide in United’s first three pre-season friendlies.

READ MORE: Jerome Sinclair starts as Oxford United beat Banbury

The U’s have lost several wingers this summer, with Ryan Williams and Mark Sykes joining Perth Glory and Bristol City respectively. Meanwhile, Gavin Whyte and Nathan Holland returned to their parent clubs after loan spells.

Robinson also wants another striker, with former loanee Jerome Sinclair starting against Banbury after training with United all week. The 25-year-old, who is a free agent, played 45 minutes in his first match for 14 months.