Little blow for Royals

Reading’s injury problems mounted after it was confirmed winger Glen Little is to undergo an Achilles operation which will rule him out for up to six months.

Team-mate Kalifa Cisse is also set for an operation on his knee which means he will be missing for up to six weeks.

Little, 31, has been plagued with injury throughout his career. They have limited his impact since his move from Burnley in 2004 and he has not appeared at all for the Barclays Premier League side this season.

Royals physio Jon Fearn told the club’s official website, www.readingfc.co.uk: “Glen and I recently saw a specialist in Achilles management problems.

“He thinks that what we may have is a small tear in the tendon that has not responded to the treatment we have given him.”