Sonko in Royals fold

Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko could be set to return to the squad for Saturday’s Premier League visit to Blackburn after his latest behind-closed-doors friendly against former club Brentford.

Sonko, 26, who has finally been given the go-ahead for his comeback after an operation in February to reconstruct ruptured cruciate knee ligaments, has already played in three private friendly matches and two reserve games in the last few weeks.