Reading boss Ruben Selles has admitted that he is not sure whether goalkeeper Joel Pereira will be fit enough to feature against Burton Albion on Saturday, but insists he has faith in back-up David Button.
Pereira, arriving in September, began the season as deputy to Button and had to wait until March to make his league bow after an illness wiped out Button.
A fan favourite for his cup heroics, the former Manchester United stopper has played seven times in League One but had to exit the field at half-time in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Barnsley due to a head injury.
Button, with nearly 40 league starts this season, enjoyed a strong second half at Oakwell to help earn a point against the Tykes.
"It was a cut in the upper bit of the eye in the first half," Selles said when describing the issue. "When we came in, he was looking okay but within five minutes there was a bit of blood in the eye, and we didn’t want to risk so we put David on for the second half."
With a clear week until travelling to Burton, the availability of Pereira remains unknown, but the Spaniard insists whoever is between the posts on Saturday will have his full trust and faith.
"Hopefully, he will be ready for next week but if not, we know David can do the job."
Only two matches remain in the 2023/24 campaign, with the Royals' safety assured.
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