Reading defender John Clarke made his injury comeback in last night's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough for Noel Hunt's Under-21s.

The 19-year-old, who made three Championship appearances under Paul Ince, has not been in a first-team matchday squad since August 2022 and has been out injured since November 2022.

A Republic of Ireland Under-19 international, Clarke came off the bench for a brief cameo against Boro, the latest step in his road to recovery.

Charlie Wellens and Basil Tuma both netted at Aldershot's EBB Stadium to respond to a pair of Middlesbrough penalties in the entertaining draw.

Popular on social media, the full-back said: "After 402 days out of action, feels unreal to be back on the pitch."

With Nesta Guinness-Walker; Jeriel Dorsett; Matt Carson; Amadou Mbengue; Tom McIntyre and Clinton Mola all failing to truly nail down the left-back spot, Clarke could be the latest to throw his hat in the ring for first-team action in the coming weeks.

Reading remain in the EFL Trophy as well as fighting for survival in League One.