ANOTHER international break meant no club game for Reading fans.

However, plenty has happened in the days since our thumping 3-0 away win at Wigan.

Star performer John Swift picked up a serious ankle injury with England U21s against Italy. Initial fears last week were that Jaap Stam was preparing to be without the midfield magician for the long term.

However, it seems results of a scan suggest Swift will be missing for around six weeks.

Still, this does cause a difficult problem for the Royals’ boss who must make a decision on Swift’s replacement for at least the next month.

Technical Director Brian Tevreden has also made it clear he is desperately searching for a striker to sign in January.

He also agrees with many fans that we are certainly lacking in the goalscoring department. It may be worthwhile keeping one eye on any potential transfer developments.

Over the international break, a number of Royals were involved with their national sides.

Paul McShane was an unused substitute in Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 win in Austria and Chris Gunter played the whole game for Wales against Serbia in Cardiff on Saturday.

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrović dealt a significant blow to Wales’ World Cup qualifying campaign with a late equaliser.

Sandro Wieser was the only other Royal in international action as he played 90 minutes of Liechenstein’s 4-0 loss at home to Italy.

This Saturday we welcome Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion to the Madejski Stadium. The Brewers, who were promoted from League One last year, currently sit in 18th position, 10 points behind fourth-placed Reading and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Albion have yet to win away from the Pirelli Stadium this season and with Reading only losing once at home so far, it’s no surprise the bookies make us 10/11 favourites to win.

Reading could go third with a victory, provided Huddersfield fail to win at Cardiff as they’re one point above us.

But Stam’s men are in the midst of a three-game winning streak and the Royals will be hoping to make that four in a row.