Striker Noel Hunt is hopeful of being fit and back in action when the Royals return to pre-season training this summer.

Noel suffered a foot injury in our penultimate home game against Barnsley, and subsequently missed three League games and both legs of the play-off semi-final.

He is aiming to be off his crutches soon, and he will undergo medical tests to further assess the problem.

Physio Jon Fearn told readingfc.co.uk, "We're hopeful he will be off his crutches within a week or so.

"He will have a further scan and we will be able to make a further review at that point.

"It's likely to have settled down, and if all looks good he can come off his crutches and hopefully look to pre-season."

Noel, 26, joined the Royals last summer and enjoyed a productive first season in Berkshire.

He scored 13 goals in 29(+10) appearances and finished third in our official player of the season vote while also winning his first cap for Ireland.