Norwich City’s Nelson Oliveira has picked up a hamstring injury while on loan at Reading.
Reading boss Jose Gomes says he still believes on-loan Norwich City striker Nelson Oliveira will play a part this season despite being ruled out for 10 weeks with a hamstring injury, Reading Chronicle reports.
“The doctor talked about 10 weeks at the time of his scan, so it means he cannot play again until the end of the season. That’s what the doctor said, but he also said Oliveira had good genes so maybe he can recover and help us in the last games,” Gomes explained.
“He did very well for us and I think he will help us. He is working very hard to be ready. With treatment and a lot of work, I really believe he will help us.”
Oliveira joined Reading from Norwich during the January transfer window after falling out of favour with the Canaries.
The Portuguese striker made an immediate impact at Reading, scoring on his debut in a 1-1 draw with relegation rivals Bolton Wanderers before going on to net winners over Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town.
With three goals in six games, Oliveira has helped Reading climb out of the bottom three as they now place in 21st spot, one point ahead of Rotherham United with eight games remaining.
But Oliveira’s injury at Ipswich leaves Reading short of options upfront, prompting a lack of goals in their last two matches as they lost 3-0 at home to Norwich’s promotion rivals Leeds United before drawing 0-0 at Stoke City.
Oliveira is scheduled to be out for 10 weeks, but the Royals will be desperate for him to return sooner as his presence upfront gives the side a focal point and a player capable of scoring key goals.
A failure to do so could be the difference between Championship survival and falling just short.
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