Reading boss Noel Hunt has confirmed that some members of his squad are struggling with illness as attention turns to Saturday's clash with Stockport County.

Mirroring many workplaces outside of football, seasonal flu and an increase in bugs have began to impact all walks of life, and football is no different.

Attempting to contain it as best they can, players struggling have been kept away from the rest of the camp but bugs are still spreading, rendering some players doubtful for Saturday's clash with play-off rivals Stockport.

"It’s been going through the camp a little bit, but we’ve tried to isolate it best we can so the ones that have had it are away from the club and back in," Hunt told the media in the build-up to the match.

"A couple of the injured ones have caught it so they’re away for a couple of days to make sure we contain it as best we can. We just have to see how we go through the next couple of days.

"A couple are back that have been ill, but we’ll see how they react from today going in to tomorrow and check they’re okay."

With an injury list as long as 10 names, in an already threadbare squad, options are limited as the Royals look to cling onto sixth spot against the Hatters.

However, a few big names are continuing their recovery from long-term injury, namely Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Michael Craig, Chem Campbell and Jeriel Dorsett.

Hunt commented: "Kelvin is back on the grass so he’s progressing well- we’ll see where he’s at. Chem is back on the grass. He part-trained today and progressing well so we just have to take it day-by-day.

"Craigy is back on the grass. Yids is off ill and has been for a week. A few were off this week with what’s going around. Jeriel is back. He had a bit of illness but he’s back with us, so it was good to see him- whether he’s ready or not is another thing."

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