It was not the kind of full debut that Jack Hobbs will remember fondly. Three goals conceded and the first league defeat of the season aren’t what he would have hoped for.

Yet the young defender shouldn’t trouble himself too much: none of the goals were his fault and, on a personal level, his was a good game. He won every header that came his way, was never beaten on the ground by the Reading forwards and tried to use the ball intelligently when it came to him.

The truth be told, however, it wasn’t that he was involved on too many occasions. For Benitez however it was a good indication that Hobbs development is moving along nicely and, if required, he is more than capable to do a job for the first team.

What happens next for Hobbs depends on a number of issues. With Daniel Agger’s return first team opportunities will be much more difficult to come across and it would become even harder if Benitez gets his wish of signing at least another central defender in January.

Having made his senior debut, however, it is unlikely that Hobbs will appreciate a return to reserve team football. Motivation wise, the desire to improve won’t be there something that would point to a period out on loan.

Danny Guthrie’s experience at Bolton is showing how positive this can be. If Hobbs can go out on loan and prove to Benitez that he can perform at the highest level, then the Spanish manager wouldn’t have to look much further for Sami Hyppia’s replacement once the Finn retires.