Ian Evatt has explained his decision the appoint George Thomason as Wanderers’ new captain.

Thomason will wear the armband against Reading this afternoon as the Whites aim to return to winning ways.

Evatt says Thomason is a “natural leader on and off the pitch” and believes he can thrive in the role.

The Wanderers boss outlined his “admiration” for previous skipper Ricardo Santos and reckons the change can also benefit the towering defender.

“We have certainly looked at everything we do and how we operate to try and find the improvements we need, and there have been a couple of internal changes this week,” said Evatt in the club’s matchday programme.

“One of those has been to appoint George Thomason as captain. The decision is not a reflection on what Rico has brought to the role.

“I don’t need to repeat my admiration for Rico and I believe removing some of the responsibility from his shoulders will help him prove that he is, in my opinion, one of the best defenders in the division.

“George is a natural leader on and off the pitch, as well as an outstanding player, who will bring different qualities to the role at this time.

“All the staff and players are fully behind him and I know he will thrive on what being captain of this club means as we look to make a winning start with him as skipper.”

Santos remains in the backline against Reading, although the Whites have made three changes from the side that lost 4-0 against Huddersfield last weekend.

George Johnston, Josh Sheehan and Victor Adeboyejo come into the starting line-up, with Chris Forino, Kyle Dempsey and Aaron Collins dropping to the bench.

Ian Evatt’s men are aiming to bounce back from a slow start to the League One campaign, having lost three successive matches.