READING FC midfielder Danny Williams faces a lengthy recovery after he was forced to have a second knee operation in five months.

The 25-year-old USA star first went under the knife in March after he picked up an injury on international duty.

But he suffered a recurrence of the problem during pre-season and has now had a second operation on his knee.

Williams tweeted: "Did everything to avoid knee surgery but at the end of the day you have to listen to your body.

"Behind every negative is a positive. Looking forward to coming back stronger.

"Thanks for all the support."

Williams is the second Royals player to have an operation in the past two weeks.

Winger Garath McCleary also required surgery on his back and is certain to miss the start of the Championship season on August 9.

Danny Guthrie has also missed most of Reading’s pre-season matches with a calf strain and is a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers (3pm ko).

Meanwhile, Jem Karacan, 25, has been named Reading’s new club captain.

The Royals Academy graduate is currently recovering from knee surgery and tweeted: “Honoured to be announced new Reading FC captain!

"Looking forward to the new season & can’t wait to get back playing playing!”

DOMINIC Samuel scored twice as Reading U21s won 2-0 at Bognor Regis in a friendly on Tuesday night.

Reading U18s defeated Boreham Wood 5-1 at Hogwood Park recently thanks to goals from Josh Barrett (2), Tyler Frost and Ricardo German (2).

Reading supporters can vote for their favourite Reading anthem.

Royals collected fans’ views at the end of last season and have shortlisted the three most popular Mad Stad tunes - Ashes by Embrace, Kevin Girdler’s Reading Anthem, or Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.

Fans can vote for their favourites on the Reading FC and the winner will be adopted as the club’s official anthem.

TICKETS for Reading’s opening Sky Bet Championship fixture at Wigan Athletic are on sale now.

Nigel Adkins’ men begin the 2014/15 league campaign with a trip to the DW Stadium on Saturday, August 9 (3pm ko).

Tickets for the match cost from £20 adults, £15 Over 65s and £5 Under 16s. Parking at DW Stadium is available for £5 per car.

To book call 0118 968 1313, visit readingfcdirect.co.uk or pop into the ticket office in person.

Reading’s trip to Leeds United has been moved to Wednesday, October 1 (7.45pm ko).

The Elland Road fixture was originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 30. However, with Reading’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers now taking place on Sunday, September 28, both Leeds and the Royals agreed to push the fixture back 24 hours.

Reading’s league fixture at Cardiff City has been moved forward to Friday, November 21 (7.45pm ko).