Ahead of their first competitive fixture of the season against Birmingham City, Championship club Reading have announced their squad numbers.<br /><br />Nigeria international Hope Akpan has opted to retain the number 16 shirt he wore while making 20 appearances in the league last season.<br /><br />The midfielder was involved for 16 minutes when The Royals faced Espanyol in their final pre - season fixture last Saturday.<br /><br />Hope Akpan played in every pre - season game contested by Reading except their 1 - 1 draw with Swansea City on July 24.<br /><br />The 23 - year - old accumulated 202 minutes of game time during pre - season, starting two out of five games in the process.<br />