CALLUM Harriott has vowed to be fit and ready for the upcoming Championship season after missing out on the second-half of this year’s campaign.

The 23-year-old winger hobbled off of the pitch during Reading FC’s fog-stricken match against Fulham in December, which was eventually abandoned at half-time.

He picked up a serious hamstring injury then, just as he was close to fitness, he suffered a devastating set-back which required surgery, ruling him out of Reading’s play-off push.

It meant the former Charlton Athletic player was forced to watch the heartbreaking defeat to Huddersfield Town in the play-off final from the Wembley sidelines.

He admitted: “To lose on penalties is really disappointing. Every player out there gave everything. There was nothing more that anyone could have done.

“I’m speechless to be honest, I’m gutted for everyone because they all put such a good shift it. It was just a cruel way to lose, especially in a final.”

Reading Chronicle:

Callum Harriott limps off the Madejski Stadium pitch after suffering an injury in the fog-abandoned clash with Fulham in December.

 

Harriott made 17 appearances in his debut season in Berkshire, netting three times.

He scored a scorcher in Royals’ 3-1 win over Norwich City in December, latching onto a John Swift through-ball before nearly breaking the net as he crashed a shot past the helpless John Ruddy.

Now he wants to put his injury nightmare behind him and focus on forcing his way back into Stam’s plans.

Harriott continued: “The positive is that we finished third in the league. I don’t think anyone thought we would do that at the start of the season.

“I’m getting better, I should be running in pre-season so I should be fit and ready for next season.”