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Injury Update...Rehabilitation has not been successful...seems at this point Surgery is our only option..meaning my Season is over! #gutted
— Jason Roberts (@JasonRoberts30) March 8, 2013
In the short-term it's another blow for a squad that's struggling with injuries and suspensions and could have done with somebody who's got experience of a relegation battle.
Long-term it's difficult to see how Roberts will get another contract, especially if we survive in the top division. Even if we went down would Roberts at his advanced age and growing media presence really want to slog through 46 games? Obviously only he can answer that but my initial suspicion would be that we've now seen the last of the striker in professional football.
Whatever the future holds, Roberts will be fondly remembered by Reading fans for turning last year's play-off contenders into Champions and I don't think it's unfair to suggest that without him we wouldn't be in the Premier League right now.
Roberts has also helped raise the profile of the club through his media work and often spoke fondly of his time with the team.
So if this is it, thanks Robbo, and if its not, we hope you'll be banging in the goals for us come August.