Reading manager Noel Hunt has confirmed he will be without two key first team members for Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Burnley.
The Royals take a break from their League One campaign this weekend to face off against one of the Championship’s title contenders. They are in a run of good form themselves, having recorded three wins and a draw over the busy festive schedule.
A run of three successive wins did come to an end though on Saturday. However, Hunt’s side did muster a point at the Valley when they earned a 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic.
Their recent form has come as a shock to some. Their 2-0 defeat against Lincoln City before Christmas was arguably their worst performance of the season, although they were perhaps suffering a hangover of sorts following the departure of Ruben Selles to Hull City.
Hunt Confirms Player Absences
The Berkshire-based side were without two of their regular first team stars for the clash, with defender Michael Craig and winger Mamadi Camara both missing the trip to the capital. The duo will also be missing this weekend after Hunt confirmed that they are both set to miss the next few weeks. Speaking to The Reading Chronicle, the 42-year-old said:
“He (Camara) had a scan and its weeks rather than months, maybe three or four weeks. He’s done great so it’s a blow for us.”
“The scan came back (for Craig), and it looked okay but he’s still feeling pain so we can only go off Michael. We have to take it day-by-day and see how it goes but as of now he is still feeling it, so we have to try and push him but not shove him.”
Writer’s View
It is a blow for Reading, who will fancy their chances against Burnley. With the Clarets hoping to earn a place in the Premier League this season, it is largely expected that they will rotate their team for the trip to the Select Car Leasing Stadium. However, Hunt may be tempted to do the same thing as he looks to maintain the Royals plight for a play-off place in League One. It’s perhaps more of a blow that the pair will miss next weekend’s clash against fellow top six chasers Stockport County.
