Stoke City midfielder Josh Laurent is set to miss his Berkshire return after suffering a ligament injury against Huddersfield Town.

27-year-old Laurent left the Royals in the summer after not signing a new contract to extend his two-year stay.

Playing almost 90 times for the club between 2020 and 2022, he won Player of the Season in his debut campaign as Veljko Paunovic's side narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Starring for the Potters in the their first four matches, manager Michael O'Neil confirmed that he will be out four six to eight weeks- missing the fixture with Reading on Sunday, September 4.

Speaking after the draw with Middlesbrough, the former Northern Ireland boss said: "Tymon will be out for four to six weeks. Laurent will be out for six to eight weeks. Powell will hopefully be back in two to three weeks. Souttar will probably be out until October. Clarke will be six weeks."

Reading have a 100 per cent record at home, the only team to win every match on their own turf so far this season.

Stoke City are the next side to visit the SCL Stadium.