Reading Football Club have announced that their upcoming match on December 29th against Fulham has been postponed, stating that "there has been insufficient time for enough players to safely return from their periods of isolation or recover from the symptoms of the virus."

A Covid outbreak at the club had already seen the club's 150th anniverary match against Luton and the Boxing Day clash with Peterborough postponed and while there had been optimism that Wednesday's fixture with Fulham would go ahead, the club requested that the EFL allow for postponement due to the virus' continued impact on both the first and U23 teams.

The full statement can be read below:

"We are very disappointed to announce that our hone Sky Bet Championship fiture against Fulham, Scheduled for Wednesday 29th Decemeber has been postponed.

"A significant number of ongoing COVID-19 cases continues to severely impact already injury-hit first team and Under-23 squads at the club and, during such a hectic period in the festive fixture schedule, there has been insufficient time for enough players to safely return from their periods of isolation or recover from the symptoms of the virus.

"We approached the EFL to inform them about the current situation and it was confirmed that the fixture against Fulham would consequently be postponed.

"We wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvenience and understandable disappointment this postponement causes to both home and away supporters. We have worked extremely hard to ensure we would be able to fulfil this fixture, so this decision was reached reluctantly by all at the club.

"This is an entirely unprecedented situation. However, we have to appreciate that these are unprecedented circumstances we live in. And we hope our supporters understand that the health and safety of our players, coaching team and staff must remain our highest priority at this uncertain time.

"A rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course and all tickets purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled fixture - however all supporters are eligible for a refund if they are unable to attend the new date. We would encourage all supporters to keep hold of their tickets.

"This is not how we wanted 2021 to end. However, we now look forward to welcoming our fans back to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to help us kick start 2022 in style when we host Derby County on Monday 3rd January, kick-off 3pm."

Reading last played on December 11th when they lost 1-0 to West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The Royals are next set to be in action on January 3rd when Derby County visit the SCL before they travel to Kidderminster Harriers for the FA Cup Thrd Round on January 8th.