By Mark Sugar
February 12 2004

A scan has revealed Royals star striker Nicky Forster will be out for at least a month with a stomach injury.Forster has been struggling with it for weeks now and must fully rest the injury.It is hoped he will be back between 4-8 weeks but nothing is certain. It's the news all Royals supporters were dreading after a scan has revealed the full extent of Nicky Forster's injury.The scan shows Forster has nothing wrong but simply needs rest in order to fully recovere.Without Forster for a month at least,the Royals face serious problems in attack.

For the past few seasons Forster has been a key player for Reading with his ability to score goals,run at defenders and work so hard.But now just when Reading need everyone firing for them as they bid for a place in the Premiership,they must do it without the influential Forster.

Forster has been struggling for weeks now with this injury,and he last played in the 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.It started when he didn't feature in the FA Cup 3rd Round game Vs Preston North End and didn't play till the Nottingham Forest game.And despite playing the full 90 minutes,Forster didn't feature in the win over Derby and loss against Ronnie Moore's Rotherham.

Steve Coppell is expected to continue with Shaun Goater and Lloyd Owusu up front with Dave Kitson waiting in the wings.

Owusu secured another month's contract this week,and now its make or break time.Owusu has stated he would like to stay but he must improve his goals tally which has seen him net once in 6 games for Reading.

But Kitson will push Owusu for his place.This comes after Kitson scored his first goal in Reading colours in the reserve defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road yesterday afternoon.

More RFC News
Steve Brown has made very good progress in his injury after picking up a knock last Saturday against Rotherham.It was though Brown might have to miss the Gillingham game but there looks like a very slim chance.

Greame Murty has been selected for the Scotland squad for the game against Wales taking place on the 18th February in Cardiff.But team mate Scott Murray has to settle for a place in the back up squad list.This isn't a surprise due to the stiff competition he faces with the likes of Darren Fletcher of Manchester United and James McFadden of Everton.
Murty will compete against defender Adie Williams who is in the Wales squad.

Tickets for the away matches against Gillingham (21st Feb) Preston North End (2nd March) and Crystal Palace (6th March) go on general sale this Saturday (14th Feb).