(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
By Alex Beard
Jaap Stam has been dealt a bitter blow today with the news that talented full-back Jordan Obita is out for the season after reconstructive knee surgery.
The 23-year-old went down with the injury in the closing stages of the Royals‘ 1-1 draw with Hull City at the Madejski Stadium on 23 September.
The injury occurred when Obita slid off the pitch and collided with the advertising hoardings. He was carried off on a stretcher amid serious concern amongst the Reading supporters.
The club wanted to use as much time as possible to assess the extent of the injury, but scans have now confirmed that he will play no further part this campaign.
Obita had reconstructive surgery on his Anterior Cruciate Ligament earlier this week, and the club announced his fate in a statement on their website.
The player, whose position will likely be filled by former Manchester United man Tyler Blackett, tweeted that the surgery was a success and that he would be back stronger.
The news makes Stam‘s preparations for the trip to promotion hopefuls Leeds United even more difficult, with key players like Yann Kermorgant and John Swift both missing the game on Saturday.
The Royals haven’t won in five Championship matches and have fallen to 20th in the table. News of Obita’s absence will only make the team’s recovery more tricky.
