TOMMY ELPHICK is set to miss six weeks with a knee injury.
The centre-back only arrived at Reading on loan from Aston Villa last week, making his debut as a substitute against Burton Albion before starting in defeat to Millwall on Saturday.
But the 30-year-old was forced off with a knee injury after half an hour and has now revealed he faces a spell on the sidelines.
He tweeted this afternoon: “Gutted I had to have a minor op this morning, but was a good outcome and I’m in very good hands.
“I will hopefully be back in 6 weeks. Thanks for the messages.”
The injury will leave Jaap Stam stretched defensively with captain Paul McShane still missing with a hamstring problem while Tyler Blackett was booed by a section of his own fans as he was subbed on and off again during Saturday’s loss.
Youngster Axel Andresson is also currently injured.
Elphick could miss up to eight games between now and the next international break in mid-March.
Reading face Middlesbrough on Saturday with Liam Moore and Tiago Ilori likely to start in the heart of defence.
