A Little Bit of Hope

Glen Little has been plagued by injury since the closing weeks of last season and he is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

The right winger, affectionately known as Blakey, was a key part in Reading's record breaking Championship winning season two years ago, but has since struggled with injury.

Little hasn't played since April and has since undergone an operation on his ankle to attempt to rectify the problem. He now believes his injury woes could be over and there is still a chance for him to make a mark this season.

He said, 'I will only know in a month or six weeks if it feels good. Everything is going well, though, and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

'Anyone driving around the local area might have seen me biking around or walking.

'I have started running now and Monday was the fastest I have gone. Now I am trying to pick it up and hopefully in six weeks time I'll be at top pace for me.

'I still wake up and feel a bit of pain some mornings but it soon goes and I am a lot more positive.'

Little is desperate to get back into the thick of the action and is doing all he can to speed up the recovery process.

'I have been running for a week now and strengthening work and ball work is the next thing on the agenda in a month's time.

'I'm not really sure when I'll be back. I'll be very disappointed if I'm not, but if my recovery does slow down and I have to take it easy then that's what I'll do.

'I want six or seven games in an ideal world, but whether it will work out like that I don't know. I am desperate to get back.'

With Steve Coppell yet to find a suitable candidate to fill the void left by Blakey, it would be an incredible boost to the club, the fans and especially the player, if he can put his injury nightmares behind him.