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299 days since Reading last signed a player, and with the takeover saga still (slowly) reaching its conclusion, Reading have been dealt a huge blow with the news that two key players have undergone operations, and will miss the start of the season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Look like danny Williams won't start the season just posted on insagram <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/readingfc?src=hash">#readingfc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/charles_watts">@charles_watts</a> <a href="http://t.co/tml5D0oUKc">pic.twitter.com/tml5D0oUKc</a></p>— craig horsley (@craighorsley1) <a href="https://twitter.com/craighorsley1/statuses/491703249863720960">July 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PostOpPic?src=hash">#PostOpPic</a> . Injury was just discovered a few weeks back, now on the mend. Cnt wait 2 b back 100%… <a href="http://t.co/7XQQTvgWw1">http://t.co/7XQQTvgWw1</a></p>— Garath McCleary (@gmccleary12) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmccleary12/statuses/489141300223299584">July 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Garath McCleary made 42 appearances last season, scoring five goals and creating 11 for the team. Winner of our Goal of the Season vote, McCleary's importance has been added to with the departure of Jobi McAnuff at the end of last season.
Danny Williams, a signing from German club Hoffenheim last summer, made 30 appearances in midfield with three goals and two assists in an injury hit, transitional campaign for the American international.
With the news that these two will miss the start of the season, Guthrie picking up a knock and Karacan on his way back from injury still, it looks more and more likely that some academy products will be thrown into the deep end for the season opener against Wigan—unless money becomes available beforehand.
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