READING FC striker Nelson Oliveria is recovering in hospital after receiving a horrific facial injury.

The on-loan Norwich City star suffered a suspected broken nose and deep cut to his head after colliding with Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings in yesterday’s 0-0 draw.

Oliveira, 27, was treated on the pitch before being taken to hospital. He is likely to have surgery to repair his nose and will probably wear a face mask when he makes his Royals return.

Oliveira remained conscious throughout the bloody incident, though head injury and concussion rules may force him to spend time on the sidelines.

Mings voiced his concern for Oliveira on social media last night, though many fans were furious at the on-loan Bournemouth defender as they felt Oliveira’s injury could have been avoided.


Mings appears to stamp down on Oliveira’s face as he falls to the floor in the second half of the game.

Referee Geoff Eltrincham – who had a poor game – did not even blow for a foul at the time, though Mings immediately stopped play himself before summoning Royals’ medical staff onto the pitch.

There were few complaints from Reading players either at the time which suggests the incident was an accident rather than a malicious act.

Royals’ boss Jose Gomes offered his thoughts on the emotive subject during his post-match press conference, suggesting it was ‘a very strange decision’ by Eltrincham, who made a number of odd calls throughout the contest.

However, Mings – who was banned for five matched in 2017 for stamping on the head of ex-Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic – could be hit with a retrospective punishment if the Football Association decide to investigate.