READING FC interim manager Noel Hunt gave an injury update on his squad ahead of their match against Wigan Athletic on Saturday with both teams scrapping for survival.
The Royals occupy the relegation places with just two games to go and desperately need points to try and avoid the drop.
Hunt confirmed that Tom Ince is out for the rest of the season, while Junior Hoilett and Yakou Meite are woking hard to return.
“We will see how Shane (Long) comes through today in terms of getting minutes on the grass and are looking to maybe feature him on Saturday at some point,” said Hunt.
“Junior (Hoilett) has been on the grass too this week and will see how he goes today so it’s been a positive week.
“He’s getting closer and has done work with us so it’s positive.
“Tom (McIntyre) has come through all good, he hasn’t had any complaints and said he feels fine. The boys who have come through short term injuries, it shows how much they want to be part of it.
“Tom (Ince) is done. He had an operation to fix his Rectus femoris which is worse than what he was trying to play through. He had an op and hopefully we see him back in pre-season.
“Yakou (Meite) was on the grass today, not with us. We will touch base with the physios. Probably not for this week but maybe next week.
“They’ve got so much to play, we know how important they are.”
Hunt is hoping that the home crowd will give the team the push they need to on to get three points.
He continued: “Everyone knows It’s a big game for both teams. The players know that and they are all really switched on. It’s about focusing on how we can hurt Wigan.
“We’re used to being underdogs. We were for all of the time I was here as a player and I want us to go with the mentality that we will out run, out work and out fight teams.
“We have to fight with everything we’ve got to get three points on the day.
“The nerves before games will never leave. It’s been overwhelming, the support.
“As a coach, you always want to do more but it’s important not to drown them as well. It’s about giving them clear messages and they’ve responded really well and are in good spirits.
“The key thing is that we’re at home so it’s about getting the crowd behind us, which I know they will be.”
