Royals boss Mark Bowen has confirmed that Reading forward Lucas Boye will be out for up to a month with a hernia problem.

Boye joins fellow forward Lucas Joao on the treatment table and leaves Reading even shorter on numbers in the striking department.

Speaking after the FA Cup triumph over Cardiff City, Bowen said: “Lucas has got a hernia problem and looks like he will be out for three or four weeks.

“If it was April or May now, I think he’d be going for an operation – it’s just what sort of pain threshold he can get through for the remainder of the season.”

Lucas Joao is not expected to return until the middle of March as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury sustained in the New Year’s Day triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Centre back Matt Miazga is expected to be out for the remainder of the month with an ankle injury sustained in the first leg of the FA Cup fourth round tie with Cardiff City.

On a more positive note, Andy Yiadom is back training with the first team squad – having not featured for Bowen’s side since the 3-2 defeat at home to Birmingham City in December.

He’s expected to be available for selection in the coming weeks, with Saturday’s home tie with Hull City coming too soon for a possible return.