Reading injury update ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United

Sheffield United are no strangers to injury problems and will come up against a Reading side on Friday who are currently facing some fitness issues of their own. The gruelling Championship season appears to be taking its toll on some clubs and the Royals came out of their defeat to Cardiff City at the weekend with two fresh concerns.

As reported by BerkshireLive, influential midfielder John Swift was withdrawn in the second-half with a calf issue and it was also announced after the match that Tom-Dele Bashiru will be sent for a scan on an injury. Royals boss Paul Ince has conceded that Swift could be sidelined for weeks whilst the condition of Dele-Bashiru remains unknown.

The loss of the two midfielders was particularly unwelcome for Reading considering they had lost Andy Rinomhota and Yakou Meite to injury just before the international break when they took on Blackburn Rovers. Rinhomhota will not play again this season, meanwhile Meite could be a doubt for Friday.

The aforementioned four join Felipe Araruna on the sideline, although there is reportedly optimism surrounding Alen Halilovic and Dejan Tetek. The former has a thigh problem but could return for Friday and Tetek is said to be progressing well in his recovery and could return 'around Easter time'.

Sheffield United are still in contention for promotion to the Premier League but the concern for Reading is retaining their Championship status. The Royals are currently hovering just above the bottom three in 21st but do have an eight-point lead over 22n-placed Barnsley.

The Blades emerged victorious in the first league meeting between the sides this season, although the occasion was overshadowed by midfielder John Fleck's collapse on the pitch. Friday is the first