Reading Have No Wingers Left

Paul Clement has been seen desperately running around the Madejski Stadium in search of wingers. The Reading manager faces the tricky prospect of going into Saturday’s game at home to Bolton Wanderers without any wide players as they’ve somehow managed to all get themselves injured.

Modou Barrow and Yakou Meite are the latest players to potentially be on the sidelines - both starting the League Cup tie against Birmingham City but coming off during the game. According to Clement, who was speaking to the media after the game, Barrow’s groin tightened up, whilst Meite got a nasty bump on his arm. The manager said:

“Mo and Yakou will be assessed before the weekend, but come on guys, we all know they’ll be out for the next six months.”

They join long-term absentees Garath McCleary, Adrian Popa and Callum Harriott - who hasn’t been spotted in a Reading shirt since the 1988 Simod Cup Final. Sone Aluko has also not been involved in the last two matches - no change there then.

Desperate for wide options to play in his 4-4-2 system, Clement has been spotted sneaking around the Madejski Stadium, looking for wingers down the back of people’s sofas. Speaking exclusively to The Tilehurst End, Technical Director Brian Tevreden explained what happened:

“I’m not giving you your stupid quotes - Meite only got a knock on his ribs, not a ‘nasty bump on his arm’ so he’ll be back at the weekend and this whole piece will look stupid.

“And how did you get into my office?”

This may leave Paul Clement having to play his son, Pelle, as a makeshift winger. The Dutchman is normally a central player, but has been used out wide by Reading in the past. However, sources close to the player says he is “busy washing his hair” on Saturday so won’t be able to make it.

However, John O’Shea, still giddy from the cheers he got from the Madejski Stadium crowd on Tuesday night, has said he’ll give it a go.