Reading FC boss Paul Ince has been dealt a blow as he gears his players up for the resumption of the Championship season this weekend.
It is understood defender Liam Moore has suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious knee injury and faces several more weeks than anticipated on the sidelines.
The centre-back has not played for Royals in almost a year, with his last appearance coming in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom on Saturday, December 11, 2021.
He was subsequently stripped of the captaincy by the club in January before being sent out on loan for the second half of the season, where he played six matches before suffering the knee issue.
Moore had been hoping to return to action later this month but it is now likely he will return at some stage in January providing he has no further issues with his recovery.
The 29-year-old did go to Tenerife last week with the rest of the first-team squad on a week-long, warm weather training camp. He did not feature in the friendly with Luton on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Naby Sarr is expected to start some light training with the first team squad on Monday as he recovers from a calf problem which has restricted him to just two appearances this season since joining on a free transfer in August.
Fellow centre-back Scott Dann, who has been out all season with a hamstring injury, is back in training but not expected to make a return for several weeks at least. Joe Lumley (ankle), Sam Hutchinson (calf) and Tom McIntyre (calf) are all expected to return to the squad for Saturday’s game at home to Coventry City having overcome their injuries.
Femi Azeez is also back in training having torn his hamstring the day before the start of the campaign so should feature in some capacity.
