Reading FC return to League One action this weekend knowing victory over Wigan Athletic will help get their play-off push back on track, but injury concerns continue to mount at a crucial stage of the season.
Leam Richardson has seen his squad stretched in recent weeks and could face a few selection dilemmas with the fitness of a few first-team players under question.
Both Randell Williams and Jeriel Dorsett had to be withdrawn with injuries in last weekends loss at Stevenage and it is expected that they will miss out on Saturday.
Meanwhile, top scorer Jack Marriott is likely to miss at least a few more weeks of action after suffering a hamstring injury which has dented Reading’s hopes of finishing inside the top six.
Winger Daniel Kyerewaa has returned to training having missed nearly two months with injury and could potentially make a return to the squad before the end of the campaign as the Royals enter a crucial stage in their fight for a place in the play-offs.
Despite the injury issues, Reading remain within touching distance of the play-off places and have been strong at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this season. Their home form has kept them in contention, and they will see this fixture as an opportunity to build momentum heading into the final weeks of the campaign against a side who are battling relegation.
Wigan’s recent form has been resurgent since appointing manager Gary Caldwell as their new boss, taking him from fellow relegation rivals Exeter City, who they defeated last weekend.
The Latics go into the weekend in 19th position on 45 points which puts them three points above the drop zone and with a game in hand on the two sides directly below them.
Wigan are unbeaten in their last three matches which has improved their chances of survival. However, the Royals did pick up three points on their trip to Wigan earlier in the season as goals from Jeriel Dorsettt and then a late winner from Paudie O’Connor saw Richardson’s side collect all three points against his former club.
