Reading manager Leam Richardson says top scorer Jack Marriott will be out for at least a month with an ankle ligament injury.
Marriott missed Saturday’s 1-1 League One draw with Bradford City after picking up the injury during the Royals’ 2-2 draw at Wycombe Wanderers.
The 31-year-old is currently the division’s leading goalscorer with eight goals and has been one of Reading’s most important attacking players this season.
Richardson said the club had hoped Marriott would be available for the meeting with league leaders Bradford, but a scan later in the week showed the extent of the problem.
“Jack took a knock last week on his ankle,” Richardson said.
“We tried to make him available for the Bradford match but a scan late in the week did not look great. It’s not great news.”
Marriott has developed an excellent goalscoring record since joining Reading and his latest absence will be a concern for a side hoping to challenge for a play-off place.
His ability to consistently find the net has provided Reading with an important source of goals, but injuries have continued to trouble the striker.
The latest setback comes at a time when Reading are showing some encouraging signs under Richardson.
The Royals moved up two places to seventh after their draw with Bradford and have made a relatively decent start to the campaign.
There have also been signs of an improvement in the team’s style of play compared with some of the more subdued performances seen last season.
Richardson has brought greater attacking intent and there have been periods of encouraging football, although Reading still have issues to resolve if they are to sustain a challenge near the top of the division.
Marriott’s absence could make that task more difficult.
Reading will now have to find a way of replacing the goals of their leading scorer while he recovers, with the club aiming to remain in contention for the play-offs.
The Royals’ position in seventh means they are currently outside the play-off places by one place, but there is still a long way to go in the League One season.
For Richardson, keeping Reading competitive while Marriott is sidelined will be another test of the squad’s depth and the progress made since his appointment.
