READING FC defender Tiago Ilori will not be available for tonight's home clash with Nottingham Forest despite being given the all clear by medics (8pm ko).

The 24-year-old centre-back needed hospital treatment following a sickening clash of heads with team-mate Liam Moore during Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough at Madejski Stadium. 

Ilori was treated on the pitch by both Royals and Boro medical staff before being taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in an abulance.

The ex-Liverpool defender went through the standard concussion protocol before being discharged later that evening.

However, the Chronicle understands the severity of the flesh wound will rule Ilori out of tonight's clash against Forest and the forseeable future.

Reading Chronicle:

Blood spurts out of Tiago Ilori's head wound.

Ilori has since thanked Royals fans for the countless messages he has received since the gory incident.

He tweeted: "Me and my family are humbled by your support" followed by the comical hashtag #liammoorehasabigasshead.



 

Moore also sustained a deep gash to his forehead but was stitched back up and played on with his head in a bandage.

Reading put a statement on their website confirming Ilori was not kept in overnight.

"We are pleased to report that Reading defender Tiago Ilori has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home after sustaining a head injury against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

"The defender clashed heads with teammate Liam Moore during the first half of the Championship fixture – both sides’ medical teams were on the scene quickly to deal with two simultaneous and complicated head injuries. We would like to put on record our thanks to Middlesbrough’s staff for their prompt assistance.

"Liam was able to continue playing after receiving stitches, but Tiago was taken to hospital for further examination, before being discharged later that evening."

Reading Chronicle:

A bloodied Liam Moore.

The freak accident summed up Reading's day against Middlesbrough as Jaap Stam's men crashed to a fourth defeat in five Championship matches.

A Grant Leadbitter penalty in the first half and Britt Assombalonga header after the break earned Boro a first win in six league games and left Royals languishing in 20th in the table.

Stam is now under increasing pressure to turn things around after picking up just one win from eight Championship games.

The Dutchman said: "Everybody wants to put Saturday right, but the thing is we need to do certain things better in the game to create more opportunities, to score goals and win games.

"We're working hard, we're trying to do that and keep the mistakes to a minimum.

Reading Chronicle:

Tiago Ilori is stretchered off before being taken to hospital on Saturday and later released. 

"In previous games we've played this season, there have been certain decisions from us that have cost us games, and that's what happened against Middlesbrough.

"You want to win your games, with a defeat like Middlesbrough, you want to come back from that. It's not the easiest way of coming back from it, but that's how it is, with a lot of games in a short period. 

"With the first one, Forest at home, we need to be there again and give everything we can again, and hopefully get the three points."

  • Follow Reading FC v Nottingham Forest live with the Reading Chronicle.