Reading are set to be without key January signing Haydon Roberts for the near future, after he has picked up a hamstring injury.
The initial signs seemed positive for the man who arrived from Bristol City last month, but scans have revealed he is set to miss four to six weeks.
Fast Start
Arriving at the Royals last month alongside another current Derby County man, Ryan Nyambe, Roberts made an immediate impact in Berkshire. He started both home games at the end of January, grabbing a goal and an assist in draws against Barnsley and Exeter City. Initially starting as a left-back, he has moved forward into a more attacking role on the left side of midfield.
The 23-year-old was rested for the thrilling victory over Wycombe Wanderers a fortnight ago, though he did make a late cameo off the bench. Roberts came on just before Jack Marriott completed his hat-trick to secure a 3-2 win over the Chairboys. But he wasn’t able to see the former Ram net against Bolton Wanderers the following midweek, having made way after just 17 minutes.
Further Injury News
There have been a number of Royals men who have been missing in recent weeks. Fellow January signing Will Keane has scored in two of his three starts, but has been absent from the matchday squad for three of the last four matches. He had previously suffered a groin injury early in the match against AFC Wimbledon, before returning for an appearance against Bolton earlier in February.
Daniel Kyerewaa has also been out of action in recent weeks, playing no minutes this month. Royals boss Leam Richardson provided an update on the 24-year-old’s recovery.
“Just ticking away, coming on slowly. We’ll just have to take it day by day, week by week, guided by the professionals and he’ll be seeing the surgeon again in a week or two. So we’ll see.”
Play-Off Blow?
Reading are four games unbeaten, but two last-gasp goals in as many games have denied them the chance to draw level with sixth-place Huddersfield Town. Bolton have a reputation for scoring late, and did so in the sixth minute of stoppage time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. But the Royals were stunned by bottom-side Port Vale last Saturday, as Martin Sherif scored in the same minute to cancel out Lewis Wing’s first-half penalty.
Two huge fixtures against Bradford City and Luton Town will go some way to deciding their fate this season. Richardson’s outfit travel to Mansfield Town in their game in hand on the Terriers next month, with the gap to the League One play-offs currently standing at four points. Reading will be hopeful of having Roberts available for the Easter fixtures at the start of April, as they travel to West Yorkshire before hosting second-place Lincoln City.