Reading boss Ruben Selles has confirmed that he is still without vice-captain Tom Holmes for tomorrow's visit of Wycombe Wanderers, while left-back Jeriel Dorsett is '50/50.'
Holmes has not featured since injuring his back in a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient in January, while Dorsett limped off within five minutes of a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town last month.
Clinton Mola and Amadou Mbengue have both stepped into their shoes seamlessly and may have to continue doing that for the foreseeable future.
"Tom is still not available," the Spaniard confirmed ahead of the Berks-Bucks Derby. "Jeriel is 50/50. He has been training with us a couple of times in the week. It looks like it has not been a setback so we will have a meeting after the press conference to see if we include him in the squad tomorrow or we wait a little bit. It can be that Jeriel is in the squad tomorrow, or it can be that we wait until Tuesday.
"He [Holmes] is following a process between us and Luton. We need to respect that and I am confident that at some point he will come back and be able to play."
Both Academy graduates, albeit Holmes now belongs to Luton Town, supporters have noted their absence despite the current side lifting the Royals further away from relegation danger in recent weeks.
Veteran centre-back Harlee Dean was in the matchday squad for last week's 3-1 win at Carlisle United, his first involvement since New Year's Day.
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