READING FC are facing multiple injury concerns ahead of their final eight Championship games of the season.
The Royals, who are set to be deducted six points by the EFL, are in a fight to try and secure their Championship status, starting with Saturday’s away game at Bristol City.
But their task has been made even trickier by the number of first-team players being treated for injuries heading into a crucial final chapter of the campaign.
“As we stand we’ve got eight or nine first-team players out for Saturday,” said Royals boss Paul Ince.
“Scott Dann has an injury. Thomas (Ince) has an injury that we’re keeping tabs on.
We will have to wait and see (On Ince’s injury).
“It’s important that we don’t want to show our hand but it’s not looking good for the boy. The same with Scott Dann so it’s a case of assessing them and seeing how we go.
“AC is struggling with a groin at the moment.”
“Baba Rahman is nowhere near ready, he’s out for the rest of the season more or less.”
The Reading manager also confirmed that Shane Long, Tom McIntyre, Ovie Ejaria and Junior Hoilett are likely to miss the remainder of the season.
However, he does expect forward Yakou Meite to return to the squad soon after taking part in training this past week.
He continued: “Yak has been on the ground this week. That’s good news because of the way he played so it’s good to have him back
“We’ll have Yak (Yakou Meite) back in the squad. Lucas (Joao) played 80 minutes (on international break) and scored so that’s good because he needed minutes.
“With eight games to go and we’ve got to collate as many points as we can.”
Reading, who have the worst away record in the division, will need to try and fix their troubles on the road when they face Bristol City this weekend.
The Royals won the reverse fixture at the Select Car Leasing Stadium 2-0 with goals from Mamadou Loum and Andy Carroll.
Nigel Pearson’s team are currently in 14th and are unbeaten this calendar year at Ashton Gate.
