READING FC top scorer Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has been ruled out for at least six weeks after breaking a bone in his back.

Fellow striker Yakou Meite – with four goals in his last four games – is also a major doubt for Saturday’s home clash with Ipswich Town after limping out of last weekend’s 3-2 home win against Bristol City.

The news means boss Paul Clement will be robbed of his two most prolific players this season for the vital relegation battle again Paul Lambert’s struggling Tractor Boys (3pm ko).

Royals remain 22nd in the table with Ipswich Town five points adrift at the bottom.

Bodvarsson picked up the back injury in the 3-0 home win against Hull City on September 22 after a heavy challenge from ex-Royals loanee Tommy Elphick.

The Iceland international confirmed he had since been playing ‘in a lot of pain’ and that his worst fears were confirmed following a scan last week.


Clement revealed: “Jon Dadi had a CT scan on his back and the best case scenario is that it will be about six weeks. If the scan shows the position of the injury is not so good then it could be longer.”

In-form Meite suffered a bittersweet afternoon on Saturday after firing Reading into an early lead before limping off seven minutes before half-time.

The 22-year-old Frenchman is now a serious doubt for the clash against Ipswich, with Sam Baldock likely to lead the Royals line.

Clement said: “He hurt his ankle. I don’t know the severity of it, but I don’t think it’s bad because he carried on for a little while, though it wasn’t good enough to stay on the pitch.

“He was devastated to come off. He scored his goal and he’s leading the line as the club’s striker. He was really disappointed but he scored an important goal for us.”


Reading also have injury problems at the other end of the pitch with Sam Walker the only fit regular keeper as Vito Mannone and Anssi Jaakkola are both sidelined.

Walker returned to the starting line-up on Saturday after Jaakkola picked up a knock in training and made a vital late save to deny Bristol City’s Andreas Weimann a last-gasp equaliser.

“I can’t say enough about our goalkeeping department and what they’re dealing with at the moment,” admitted Clement.

“One comes in, does well, gets injured, the next one’s ready and they are supporting each other really well.

“I have three, good first-team goalkeepers.”

Meanwhile, on-loan Saeid Ezatolahi has been ruled out until December, while Dave Edwards, Omar Richards and Jordan Obita are also sidelined.

However, midfielders Adrian Popa and Pelle Clement are due to return to training this week after recovering from knocks.