Jaap Stam says Omar Richards is “a very promising” player with the youngster in line for more minutes now that Jordan Obita has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Obita played a big role in Reading’s run all the way to the play-off final last season but he will now be missing for the best part of a year following surgery to fix the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee after he was stretchered off against Hull City last month.
“You’re always looking for players who can be influential and Jordan was that last season,” said Stam.
“This season he struggled with a couple of minor injuries to his ankle as well also from last season still.
“But he came back fit. In the game that he got that injury, against Hull, he came in strong and did very well being a threat going forwards and looked very promising again.
“And then he got the injury, which you can’t really do anything about.
“Then when you get the message that he’s out for the season it’s a big blow, especially for him and for the team as well.”
That injury leaves Tyler Blackett as the only senior option at left-back and it could be argued his best position is in the centre.
But Obita’s setback could open the door for academy product Richards, 19, who has made two Championship appearances off the bench for Reading already this season.
“Omar was already involved in pre-season,” explained Stam.
“He’s a very promising player. He has the qualities in going forward, very good left foot, strong on the ball, pace.
“Of course he needs to improve in certain areas but for him it gives him the chance to be involved in the squad more.”
Stam also gave an injury update on some other members of the squad, notably last season’s top scorer Yann Kermorgant.
“Yann is improving a lot,” said the manager.
“He is already joining in with the group.
“Not doing the whole sessions. He’s not playing in big games yet but he’s already in passing drills, possession games and he’s doing it well and feeling good.
“If you tell Yann he needs to go now and play 90 minutes he will say yes, no problem for me.
“But the physios say we need to be careful.
“If you make one wrong move then the chance of getting an injury again is a bit bigger now.
“It’s not going to be a month anymore, hopefully it’s a matter of weeks.”
