Reading FC injury update emerges on Sam Hutchinson ahead of West Brom clash | OneFootball

Reading centre-back Sam Hutchinson is expected to return to training after Monday’s game against West Bromwich Albion, according to manager Paul Ince who spoke to the Reading Chronicle.

The ex-Sheffield Wednesday man has been out of action since the Royals’ clash against Watford before the World Cup break, with the defender only just making his way back from an injury problem at that point.

Also missing the early stages of 2022/23 with a different setback, he has been absent for a considerable chunk of the Berkshire outfit’s season so far and this came as a real blow to a side that were previously short of centre-back options.

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Not only was Scott Dann out of action along with Liam Moore who is seemingly on the verge of forcing his way into the first team again, but also Naby Sarr who has only just returned in recent weeks.

Thankfully for them, Amadou Mbengue has been able to step up and be a real asset in the backline in the absence of others.

Dann was also on the bench yesterday and Andy Yiadom has proven to be a decent option at right centre-back – but Hutchinson is one man who doesn’t look set to be available for Monday’s clash against West Brom.

Ince said: “We need to understand that people are training but not always ready to play. I was pleased that Liam Moore got 45 minutes today [in a friendly with West Ham] with no issues.

“Hutch should be back on the training ground after West Brom, but I am really looking forward to the next game now.”

The Verdict:

Although the Royals have options at the back again, they could benefit from having Hutchinson in the middle of the park with the likes of Mamadou Loum and Jeff Hendrick both failing to impress many supporters.

Loum has had some real low points along with some highlights too – and in contrast to the Senegal international – Hendrick has just been average with no notable highlights or bad moments in recent games.

Both have the potential to be great players on their day, with Loum performing well during the early stages of his time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Hendrick proving to be a threat in the final third at times.

But they need more competition for a starting spot in the middle of the park and they have lost that at the moment with Hutchinson still out and Tyrese Fornah set to spend time on the sidelines with a knee injury.

And it’s not as if they can add anyone else to their squad in January unless they offload players first, so they need Hutchinson back at their disposal as quickly as possible.