Reading boss Noel Hunt is hopeful of having Amadou Mbengue, Tivonge Rushesha and Kelvin Abrefa back involved for Boxing Day's visit of Northampton Town.

The Royals are without a win under the management of Hunt, losing 3-0 at home to Blackpool and 2-0 away to Lincoln City in the last two outings.

Injuries are beginning to stack up for the Royals, with Andy Yiadom, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Ben Elliott all out for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, a series of short-term injuries are beginning to seriously limit the squad, with the bench almost entirely Academy graduates.

However, in positive news ahead of the visit of managerless Northampton on Boxing Day, Mbengue, Rushesha and Abrefa could all return to action.

"We’ve got a couple coming back this week, which is a positive and helps strengthen the squad." Hunt said at the LNER Stadium on Saturday. "We just have to look forward to the games coming up over Christmas which are at home.

"Hopefully Tivonge Rushesha is on the pitch this week, possibly Kelvin A. I know they’re young but at least they’re fresh. We just have to see how far along they are."

Mansfield Town visit Berkshire for the first time since the 1980s on December 29 while Reading travel to Cambridge United on New Year's Day.