Royals striker David Mooney will be out of action for a good few weeks after picking up an ankle ligament injury in Wednesday's reserve team win over Gillingham.

Mooney was injured with around 15 minutes to go, finding himself on the end of a late challenge from a Gills midfielder, and after lengthy treatment the Irishman came off.

The frontman, 24, has been in goalscoring form for the reserves in recent weeks, having notched six goals in seven appearances for our second string.

He had already scored a good goal to make it 4-0 on Wednesday, and we were forced to play the last moments with ten men after using all three subs.

 World TV: Reserve team highlights
 Report: Reading 4-0 Gillingham

Mooney is on crutches now and was wearing a protective plastic boot at the training ground on Thursday.

Winger Michail Antonio received a heavy bang in the closing stages but he is now training again fine and it is not a serious problem.

Sam Sodje underwent a successful knee operation but will not be available for action again until into the new year.

Graeme Murty remains the only other player on the sidelines, and he is working hard with our physio team to get back to full fitness after a calf injury.

This weekend's opponents Sheffield United will be without former Reading man Darius Henderson who is still recovering from a knee problem.

Defender Ugo Ehiogu is suspended, but midfield man Brian Howard is back in contention after missing the last two games.

Skipper Chris Morgan appears likely to play while the FA consider whether to charge him following a clash with Iain Hume that left the Barnsley man with a fractured skull.