 Ibrahima Sonko can expect some stick from his Reading team-mates. |
Reading are waiting to see if Ibrahima Sonko is available for selection for Saturday's home date with Bolton. Sonko's Senegal are out of the Africa Cup of Nations following Thursday's 1-1 draw with South Africa.
And Reading captain Graeme Murty told BBC Radio Berkshire they are looking forward to Sonko's return to action.
"If he comes straight back he's going to get a lot of stick from the lads for Senegal being rubbish," joked Murty. "But he'd be a welcome addition."
Since drawing 1-1 at West Ham on Boxing Day, Reading have now lost their last five Premiership games to stand just two points clear of the bottom three.
And manager Steve Coppell must decide who to play in central defence, Kalifa Cisse and Ivar Ingimarsson both having performed well in Sonko's absence.
But Murty is realistic about Sonko's chances of playing.
"You have to look at the incredible amount of travelling he's done and assess whether he's going to be fit and fresh enough to play," said Murty.
"Having said that, it'll be good to see him back if only to give him some banter."
Sonko, who has missed the last five games for Reading, was sent off after three minutes on his last appearance, the 2-0 defeat at home to Portsmouth on New Year's Day.
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