Reading FC have been a handed double-boost with starting full-backs Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman set to return from the Africa Cup of Nations earlier than anticipated.
The duo have missed Reading's last last two Championship matches and will be absent from tonight's clash with Luton Town. But it was expected that they would be away for at least the rest of the month with their national team, Ghana, one of the favourites to win the whole tournament.
But instead, Yiadom and Rahman could be back as soon as this weekend's meeting with Huddersfield Town after Ghana were duped out of the AFCON in the group stages.
Ghana are out of the AFCON 🇬🇭
— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) January 18, 2022
Commiseration to Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman, but it will be a huge boost to have them back sooner than expected. Two vital players for Reading. #readingfc pic.twitter.com/wVXzwnpaJ0
The Black Stars lost their first match 1-0 to Morocco before drawing their second 1-1 with Gabon. It all set up perfectly for their final group stage clash against the Comoros but needing a win to advance, Ghana were surprisingly beaten 3-2 late on.
The two Reading players started all three of their nations' matches but both were subsitited in the defeat to the Comoros as Ghana chased the game.
It will be a hugely welcome boost to Veljko Paunovic after the manager has had to utilise central midfielder Dejan Tetek at right-back and 20-year old Ethan Bristow at left-back. With limited options, it is likely that those two will start once again against Luton.
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