WILL HE BE THE SAME AGAIN?

It was a very tough 2004 for Forster who didn't feature from the opening game at Preston North End till the end of the season in May. Forster was ruled out of contention with a stomach injury sustained through all his hard work the previous season in which Alan Pardew's Reading side reached the Playoffs with Forster playing a major role as the lone striker in that successful 4-5-1 formation.

After a long and gruelling summer in which he built up his fitness, the former Birmingham City front man appeared to have put his injuries behind him with some impressive displays early on, particularly against Preston North End at the Madejski Stadium where he scored 1 of the best goals of his career with a solo effort that even Thierry Henry would have been proud of.

But weeks later it was another spell on the sidelines after a groin injury, and with the emergence of Dave Kitson, questions were being asked.

Back for the clash with our rivals QPR, Forster made a return with an appearance off the bench. But since the match Forster is yet to score in 6 games and has been guilty of missing some clear cut chances, especially at Preston where he fired yards over despite have a simple finish in front of him and against Derby where his spectacular overhead kick effort didn't even get anywhere near the goal.

But is it right that we are doubting Nicky Forster? This is the same Nicky Forster who overcame a career threatening cruciate knee ligament injury in 2000 and single handily got the Royals to Cardiff with his fantastic individual display against Wigan. The season later he was part of that Royals side that won promotion, playing a major role all season round.

But the best was saved till the big occasion and with the Royals back in the old Division 1, Forster took it by storm with his pace and ability and he even put a hat trick passed a recently relegated Ipswich Town side.

Forster was the catalyst in a 4-5-1 formation that won Reading games and bought us games away from Premiership football. Had Nicky Forster not been stretched off in the Wolves Playoff game it could have well been a completely different story. Many supporters, both of Reading and Wolves would agree that moment was the turning point in the game.

Forster who is now 30 and in the last 6 months of his current contract will be hoping for a new deal but is it to late for Forster? Current Royals boss Steve Coppell believes he hasn't seen the best of Forster and time is ticking for Nicky to prove his worth.