Reading are sweating over the fitness of defender Jeriel Dorsett after he limped off in Saturday's 5-2 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

Dorsett, a centre-back who has spent the last nine months covering a left-back, was replaced by Kelvin Abrefa in the first half after hobbling off with the Royals three down to the Trotters.

Already thin on the ground and missing first-choice goalkeeper Joel Pereira, Ruben Selles will hope the Academy graduate can make a swift return.

Speaking on the injury after the defeat, Selles admitted it could be a while before the 22-year-old returns.

"It looks uncomfortable," he said in the North-West. "Let’s see but it looks like he will be out for some period of time."

(Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Abrefa impressed off the bench and contributed heavily as Ben Elliott pulled a goal back in the first half, Sam Smith scoring Reading's second from the penalty spot after the break.

Speaking highly of the 20-year-old, Selles is expecting the Ghana international to fill Dorsett's role adequately.

"Kelvin Abrefa made a fantastic impact on the game today and he knows we have been waiting for that performance to put himself in the way to support the team. There is a really good player but we needed to see a performance like today. He has been training really well so he can replace Jeriel.

"We have Andre [Garcia] at 16 who can step into the team. We will manage the options we have."

Huddersfield Town visit Berkshire on Saturday (12.30pm ko) in a game broadcast live on Sky Sports.