Reading defender Rob Dickie is poised to return to Cheltenham Town on a six-month loan deal, The Football Pyramid understands.

The young centre-back is a highly-rated talent among the management at The World of Smile Stadium, and is set to return to the club for a third spell.

The 20-year-old signed a new deal at the Madejski Stadium this summer and had featured for the Royals throughout pre-season, looking set for first-team involvement under Jaap Stam.

But, we understand, Dickie is now set to make the familiar move to the Gloucestershire club once again, re-joining Gary Johnson’s side on a deal until January.

Dickie enjoyed two thoroughly rewarding stays with the now League Two club last season, playing a vital role in helping the Robins to the National League title and promotion back to the Football League.

The former England under-19 international, a natural centre-half who can also operate comfortably at right-back, played 27 times scoring three goals as Johnson’s romped to the title ahead of Forest Green.

Dickie, who made his Reading debut on the final day of last season against Blackburn as a reward for his successful loan spell, capping off a brilliant 2015/16 season, will hope to pick up from where he left off on his imminent return.