READING FC boss Jose Gomes has major injury problems at both ends of the pitch to solve before Saturday’s home clash with Wigan Athletic (3pm ko).

Nelson Oliveira and Emi Martinez both picked up knocks in last weekend’s crucial 2-1 victory at basement boys Ipswich Town which kept Royals out of the bottom three.

Leading striker Oliveira, 26, scored the opener at Portman Road with his third goal in six games for the club.

But the on-loan Norwich City striker – who had been ruthlessly taunted by fans of their East Anglian rivals – limped off just before the hour with a suspected hamstring injury.

Oliveira is now a major doubt for this weekend’s fixture and, with forwards Jon Dadi Bodvarsson still recovering from a calf strain and Sam Baldock working his way back from a long-term thigh problem, Gomes is short of options up front.

Seven-goal Bodvarsson has missed the last two games with a calf problem, while Baldock has been out since a 1-0 defeat at Millwall on Boxing Day.

Reading Chronicle:

Nelson Oliveira silenced the Ipswich Town fans by firing Reading into the lead.

Gomes gave an update on Bodvarsson’s condition, saying: “He’s started training in the gym so we will see.”

However, Royals’ boss also has goalkeeper issues after Martinez picked up an ankle injury while warming up on Saturday.

The on-loan Arsenal stopper battled through the pain barrier and made a string of outstanding saves against the Tractor Boys to preserve all three points.

But Martinez may struggle to recover before the weekend and, with Anssi Jaakkola nursing an Achilles problem, Gomes may have to turn to his third-choice keeper, Sam Walker.

Gomes explained: “There’s Oliveira and Martinez also has an injury. He felt something in the warm up and during the game he jumped and felt it again. I think it’s his calf.

“He said he wanted to play, but we will have to see how he recovers during the week then Friday we will make a decision.”

Reading Chronicle:

Emi Martinez played through the pain barrier at Portman Road and made some outstanding saves.

Reading remain 21st in the table after beating Ipswich as Rotherham United below also won against Blackburn Rovers.

Wigan are two places higher with three more points and play their game in hand tonight when they travel to play-off chasing Derby County.

A defeat for the Latics would give Royals the opportunity to leapfrog their opponents with a win this weekend.

Gomes added: “The goal is to win against Wigan and, if we do, we could pass them. Hopefully, we can win and the teams around us also have tough games.

“We focus on our games and the things we can control and be better in the next game. If we keep this fighting spirit we showed to beat Ipswich I think we win the next game.”