ROYALS skipper Ivar Ingimarsson could be sidelined for at least another fortnight after pulling out of this afternoon’s friendly against Leyton Orient.
Ingimarsson, who turns 33 on Friday, was set to make his comeback for the reserves at Reading’s Hogwood Park training ground.
However, the club feared it was too much of a risk and decided to withdraw him.
The talismanic defender had an operation on his hamstring in March and has been recovering since.
Manager Brian McDermott told the Chronicle: “I spoke with our physio Luke Anthony and we decided there was no point pushing Ivar.
“We want him to be in perfect shape when he comes back so he’ll probably be another couple of weeks.”
The friendly game ended 1-1, with Noel Hunt scoring Reading’s goal from Hal Robson-Kanu’s cross.
“Noel got 45 minutes and scored while Julian Kelly got an hour under his belt so it was a positive exercise,” added McDermott.
McDermott then confirmed striker Shane Long and defender Matt Mills are winning their race to be fit for Saturday’s crunch Championship clash against Nottingham Forest at Madejski Stadium (3pm ko).
However, midfielder Jay Tabb is almost certain to be out of action for longer with a recurring ankle problem.
“Longy and Millsy should be okay for the weekend but I’m not sure about Tabby, we’ll have to see on that one,” he explained.
Reading: Hamer; Cummings (c), Kelly (Joyce 55), Hector, J.Mills, Davies, Rowe (D’Ath 66), Taylor, Bignall, Hunt (Walcott 46), Robson-Kanu. Subs not used: Locke, Arnold, Ugwu
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