CROCKED Reading FC full-back Jordan Obita has flown to the United States in a bid to speed up his recovery.

The 24-year-old has suffered a horrendous run with injuries and has had two operations in the past year.

The talented left-back is now making good progress and flew to the US earlier this week to the YSC Sports physiotherapy centre in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

The state-of-the-art facility has been used by some of the world’s top footballers as they get over serious injuries.

The walls of the gym are adorned with football shirts from many of the biggest clubs in the sport – including one from Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck.


Obita had reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament last September after colliding with advertising hoardings in the final minutes of a 1-1 draw with Hull City at Madejski Stadium.

Unfortunately, there were problems with his recovery and he was forced to have a second operation in May to ‘tidy up the knee.’

It was hoped the procedure would ensure Obita was fit for the start of the current Championship season. However, it appears he is still some way off full fitness and is unlikely to return until October at the earliest.

Boss Paul Clement recently confirmed: "Jordan is behind that because he's had second surgery so it's more likely in October that we'll see him training with the team."

Meanwhile, Royals winger Garath McCleary is nearing a comeback.

Reading Chronicle:

Garath McCleary sat with the Reading players at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The 31-year-old has been out of action since late February when he broke his ankle in a 3-1 home defeat by Sheffield United.

But McCleary sat on the bench with the Reading substitutes on Saturday for the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, a result that leaves Clement’s men bottom of the Championship table.

Callum Harriott and Dave Edwards are also recovering from injuries, while Adrian Popa is now fit but lacking match practice.