Freak reason behind Reading FC injury emerges

Reading goalkeeper Karl Hein looks set to remain out of action for at least a month after suffering a fall at home and with, suffering a thumb ligament injury in what is a huge blow for the second-tier side.

He arrived at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on a loan deal from Arsenal last month following the departure of Rafael Cabral, appearing on the bench against Queens Park Rangers before establishing himself as the Royals’ first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Luke Southwood.

This initially proved to be an unpopular decision in the second-tier side’s fanbase but barring a few shaky moments – the Estonian international has proven to be a real asset for Paul Ince’s men and has overseen an upturn in their form.

He may have lost his opening two games and only kept one clean sheet during his five matches between the sticks, but he played a key part in their draw against Peterborough United and victories against Preston North End and Birmingham City in recent ties.

In a blow for the Royals, he was missing from the squad in yesterday’s 4-1 defeat against Blackpool with Southwood being called up to the starting lineup and Coniah Boyce-Clarke being promoted to the bench.

Fans were hoping this would be the result of a minor injury to the 19-year-old – but manager Ince has since revealed he would be spending an extended period of time on the sidelines.

Revealing the cause of his injury, manager Paul Ince said to the Reading Chronicle: “I haven’t got much detail really. He fell, in his house, I think he’s took the ligament off his bone in his thumb.

“They’re talking 4-6 weeks if he doesn’t need surgery and two months if he does.

“The physio knows more than me but we’re switching four or five layers just to make a team we’re that down to