Amid the Reading chaos sits an oasis of opportunity with Ireland for Jessie Stapleton

Amid the chaos of Reading sits an oasis of opportunity for Jessie Stapleton.

West Ham United recruited the versatile Ireland international from Shelbourne after she turned 18 last year with plans to integrate her over a long-term contract.

A struggling start to the Women’s Super League season militated against slivers of action for rookies and so Rheanne Skinner allowed Stapleton to depart on loan during the January window after just two appearances.

Dropping into the Championship has served its purpose insofar as the 19-year-old has started every game but she wouldn’t want to be judged on clean sheets.

The Royals have not only lost their last four games but conceded 18 goals in the process. Up until that slump, they’d let in an average of just over one across their previous 15 matches.

There are mitigating factors. Reading’s Chinese owner Dai Yongge has imposed swingeing cutbacks.

Redundancies have ravaged their staff, the men’s team were deducted 18 points for financial missteps and the women’s set-up was downgraded to part-time upon their relegation last summer.

It has now got to the stage that heating is rationed within the training ground but it’s not all a cold snap for their temporary arrival.

“Look, the club isn’t in the best place right now,” said Stapleton, part of the Ireland squad for the opening Euro qualification double-header, starting with France in Metz on Friday.

“With the uncertainty of new ownership, it doesn’t affect me as much but it affects the players on permanent contracts. When you have to worry about the business side, it’s going to impact your performance.

“I wouldn’t say it’s like a jokeshop. It’s still a professional environment because we’re still footballers. The stress of the