Having made over 100 league appearances for Forest, more than half of those as a substitute, McCleary moved to Reading in the summer of 2012 on the back of an excellent second-half of the 2011/12 season where he netted nine times for the Reds including, famously, four goals in 7-3 win at Leeds United.
Quoted on the Get Reading website after being handed a start against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend, he said: "Being a winger is very confidence based. I feel that you need a run of games to get that form and confidence.
"But we've got players in the squad who are good out wide, so you are going to have to bring your A-game when you play and take your chance."
Reading will still be under the management of Steve Clarke this Saturday after he opted against a switch to Fulham despite having held talks with the Craven Cottage club about succeeding Kit Symons.