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Following news earlier in the season that Reading forward Craig Tanner might be ruled out for the rest of the season, it appears that the youngster may have made a much quicker recovery than first thought. With Reading's U21 side facing their Aston Villa counterparts tonight, it was surprising to learn that the academy graduate had managed to earn a place on the bench.
TEAM: Kick off moments away in Burton as our u21s take on @AVFCOfficial. @CraigTanner27 returns and is on the bench. pic.twitter.com/NxMyI08Btj
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) December 1, 2014
Charles Watts of the Reading Post reports that Reading declined to commit Tanner to surgery following his knee injury which has so far kept him ruled out since Reading's last away win before Saturday, a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
@TheTilehurstEnd no, surgeon decided more rest in the end then they would take another look. Guess things have gone very well recently.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) December 1, 2014
Craig Tanner is the latest in a string of academy graduates to make their debut for the senior team this season, and opened his account with a strike against Newport County in the League Cup at the Madejski Stadium in August.