Key Reading FC Trio Fit For QPR

While Reading haven’t been overly busy in the transfer market this summer, one part of the club has seen plenty of action, the physio’s room.

Ahead of this weekend’s season opener at QPR, you could have almost named an entire starting XI made up of injury doubts and absentees but fortunately there’s been a fair bit of good news in Jaap Stam’s final news conference before our Championship campaign kicks-off.

The positives are that Tyler Blackett, Joey van den Berg and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson are all training and are all expected to be available for selection on Saturday. Joey and Jon picked up knocks in our 3-2 defeat to Vitesse but fortunately neither injury has proved significant.

There’s also some good news on the fitness of Joseph Mendes, who’s fit and in contention to be picked for the trip to West London. Stephen Quinn is another who’s able to travel, putting him in line for a first senior appearance in nearly a season.

On the down side Garath McCleary won’t be able to take his place in the squad due to injury, while Callum Harriott is back training but Stam confirmed he’s still a couple of weeks away from being match fit.

Stam also spoke on the fitness of striker Yann Kermorgant, telling those gathered, including the Reading Chronicle and Get Reading, that the Frenchman will indeed be out for another couple of months after hip and groin problems. Club Captain Paul McShane is also dealing with an injury, but he’s suspended for the first two games of the season anyway after his red card at Fulham.

So after a nervy week it looks as if we’ll be getting close to a full strength side out on Saturday but will it get the job done?