Andy Carroll won’t be involved for Reading when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The former Newcastle striker penned a two-month contract with the Royals earlier this week.
The Reds will have to focus on their own house of course. Carroll will, however, be champing at the bit to try and prove himself after some time out of the game.
Boss Valko Paunovic confirmed in today’s presser that the Reading newcomer won’t be available for selection this weekend.
The Royals incumbent did claim that he’s been impressed with Carroll and his fitness levels; also going on to confirm that he isn’t yet match fit.
Reading will be hoping to adopt a siege mentality this weekend. They have been hit with a six-point fine from the EFL this week and now face a relegation battle.
The Royals haven’t been in bad form this season and they will hope for a positive result against Forest to start climbing the table once again.
Steve Cooper’s men are on the up themselves though. The Reds have been in fine form under the new head coach and are playing some lovely football.
Forest defender will breathe huge sigh of relief
Target men are Joe Worrall’s kryptonite when it comes to playing football. That isn’t really a massive secret and it is something that he has struggled with in the past.
As a result, he will perhaps be smiling on the inside that he won’t have to come up against one of English football’s most iconic target men of his generation in Carroll.
Forest will head to Reading in confident spirits and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to fear the Royals this weekend.
The buzz around Carroll featuring for his new club will have to wait for now – and that might just benefit Forest.