Reading defenders Jeriel Dorsett and Kelvin Abrefa are set to return to training today after recovering from injury, with both facing a race against time to be fit enough to feature in Saturday's League One opener at Birmingham City.

Dorsett and Abrefa, both Academy graduates set to be key players for Ruben Selles this season, suffered set-backs over the summer and are yet to make an appearance in pre-season.

This, twinned with a long-term injury for club captain Andy Yiadom, has seen midfielder Michael Craig and other teenagers fill in at full-back during the warm-up matches.

Beating Hull City on Saturday in the final friendly, Selles confirmed the positive news that both youngsters are due to return to training today and could still make an appearance at St Andrew's on Saturday.

"Jeriel Dorsett and Kelvin Abrefa have both been in their last week of rehab," Selles said. "Kelvin is a little bit ahead of Jeriel, but I expect them both to be training with me on Monday so hopefully, we can have them ready for Birmingham."

Another injury concern is goalkeeper David Button, who has not featured in the past fortnight.

Starting last season as first choice keeper, the former Fulham and West Brom stopper lost his place to Joel Pereira in the final few months of the campaign.

Fighting Coniah Boyce-Clarke for the back-up spot, Button is a doubt for next week after picking up a small injury.

"David has been training normally and he played against Woking," Selles said on Saturday. "He has been in rotation with the other goalies, and we had to narrow down the squad for today. He got an unfortunate kick on the knee a couple of days ago and we need to see if it’s just for some days or a little bit longer."