On-loan Gordon out for the rest of the season

By Mark Sugar
April 23 2004

On-loan Coventry City defender Dean Gordon will miss the rest of the season after a recurrence of a foot stress fracture injury sustained in the 1-0 home defeat to Norwich City on Easter Monday.This leaves Royals Manager Steve Coppell with on 3 defenders for the trip to Millwall.

Dean Gordon has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a recurrence of a foot stress fracture injury sustained in the 1-0 home defeat to Norwich City on Easter Monday.

Gordon had signed on-loan just before the transfer deadline day from Coventry City. He wasn't allowed to play in the fixture at Highfield Road, in which the Royals won 2-1. He was on the bench in the 2-0 win over Alan Pardew's West Ham United but he didn't get on. But he made his debut at Bradford, coming on as a 2nd half substitute. Again he came on for the injured Andy Hughes against Norwich but it was his headed clearance which led to Phil Mulryne's fluke finish thanks to an assist from referee Neale Barry.

Gordon is a versatile player, who is able to play left back or left midfield. He was a good signing for Steve Coppell after losing Nicky Shorey for the season due to a rare foot infection. The news that he won't play again for Reading is a major blow for Coppell, who doesn't have a recognized left back that is match fit.

Andy Hughes has been filling in recent weeks but he is a major doubt for Saturday's trip to Millwall with ankle ligament damage leaving only 3 fit defenders in Greame Murty, Adie Williams and Ricky Newman. Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarrson is suspended for the rest of the season leaving major headache's for Steve Coppell.

The Royals currently lie in 10th place, 3 points behind a Playoff spot with 3 games to play.