‘A bit unfortunate’: Fresh injury concern for £1m Portsmouth man after strong Reading emergence
Pompey defender Josh Knight has featured three times for Reading on loan this season.
Reading are monitoring a potential injury setback for Josh Knight.
But, the Pompey loanee’s recent emergence at the Select Car Leasing Stadium has been praised by head coach Leam Richardson as he establishes himself in the heart of defence.
The centre-back had a tough introduction in Berkshire following his season-long switch from Fratton Park in August.
Despite missing the first eight matches after his move as Reading built his fitness, Knight was then handed his bow in an EFL trophy defeat to Chelsea in October.
Outings against Plymouth Argyle (League One) and Peterborough United (FA Cup) then followed, with his strong display in the heart of defence against Posh being recognised by Richardson.
The 29-year-old was then a surprise absentee in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy.
And the head coach has since confirmed the £1m man suffered a knock in the 5-0 success against Peterborough and is being closely monitored ahead of Saturday’s League One showdown with fellow promotion hopefuls Stockport County.
It represents a fresh blow for Reading at the heart of defence, with fellow centre-back’s Paudie O’Connor (suspended), Jeriel Dorsett (international duty) and Ben Ward (injured) all set top miss out at Edgeley Park.
Fresh Reading injury concern for Pompey loanee
Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, Richardson said: ‘Josh has been really good. He also got a knock on Saturday so that’s a bit unfortunate. We’ll see how that one goes over the next couple of days.
‘Paudie has had five (yellow cards) so that’ll be him suspended. That’s huge because he’s been really consistent, really reliable for us and has been a big personality on and off the pitch.
‘So disappointing because I didn’t think it was a booking on Wednesday for the Oxford game.
‘It’s an area that we are short at the minute, but there is always an opportunity for someone else. Fingers crossed we’ll come through it well.
‘A little bit (short in defence). But, there is always an opportunity for someone else. The preparation goes in and we’ll be prepared to get a positive result on Saturday.’
Josh Knight’s Pompey stay and Reading future
Knight’s Pompey departure was sanctioned at the end of the summer window, just a year after his £1m switch from Hannover 96.
A stress fracture in his back subsequently curtailed his maiden Fratton Park campaign in November and didn’t return to the fray until pre-season.
However, the defender found himself down John Mousinho’s pecking order, with Regan Poole, Madiodio Dia, Conor Shaughnessy and summer recruit Benjy Arthur ahead of him.
He subsequently joined Reading on a season-long agreement in August and has had to bide his time for regular League One minutes with the Royals.
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