Reading FC’s Top Scorer Yann Kermorgant To Miss Start Of Season

Reading FC will have to start the 2017/18 season without their top scorer, after Yann Kermorgant had major surgery this week.

The veteran striker, who scored 19 goals last season, was seen being stretchered away from Hogwood last week and the Reading Chronicle revealed the striker had hip and groin surgery.

Speaking after his surgery, Kermorgant said:

“Now the surgery is complete I am totally focussed on getting fit again.

“I’m ready to work hard and I know the fantastic medical team that we have here at the club will do everything they can to help me get back out there with my teammates as soon as possible.”

Head Physiotherapist, Jon Urwin, said that rehabiliation has already started and the recovery time shouldn’t be too long.

“Yann underwent successful hip and groin surgery yesterday morning and together we are now looking at a rehabilitation process which will stretch across weeks rather than months.”

Headache for Stam

The news will be a huge blow to Jaap Stam, who was already looking light on the striker front following the departures of Deniss Rakels and Yakou Meite on loan, and the rumours around a move for Norwich striker Nelson Oliveira have been quashed.

That means Stam, as it stands, only has Joseph Mendes and Dominic Samuel as senior striking options as pre-season continues, though Dominic Samuel looks likely to depart in the coming weeks.

16-year-old Academy graduate Danny Loader scored four goals against QPR in the first round of pre-season friendly fixtures, but it’s almost certainly too soon to expect much from the youngster in the Championship.

Brian Tevreden had better get a move on and find The Royals a striker.