Little is prepared to take his injury on the chin

He has been playing through the pain barrier since December but a scan has confirmed that he now needs treatment.

The 31-year-old told Reading's website: "I've been getting through it but I can't do it any more. Right now I don't know how long I'll be out.

"If I can come back this season, great, but if not I'll take it on the chin and wait for next season."

It's getting difficult just to get into training in the morning and I've not had this type of injury before Glen Little

Little has been forced to admit defeat to the injury, which he admits is something of a mystery to him.

He added: "I don't know how it first happened, it just started to come on not long after Christmas.

"At that point, I could get through it but I knew it was there. It became more and more of a struggle and has been getting to me.

"It has become a fight just to get out on the pitch, so I'm at the stage where I want to get it right because I can't keep going like this.

"It's getting difficult just to get into training in the morning and I've not had this type of injury before.

"Our physio says I could be back this season, if it settles well, but it might not settle and then I would have to get it right for the summer."

Former Burnley winger Little says his decision was helped by the depth of Reading's squad.

He said: "I've got to drop out as there are others desperate to play.

"If we didn't have anyone it might be different but I can get it right now."