Darius' Season Is Over But Savage's Is Just Beginning

Last updated : 04 April 2002 By Rob Cooper

Jon Fearn explained the situation to readingfc.co.uk, “It's the same problem he's had for the last few months, we've managed it for a while, the manager and the player were happy to continue but we've had to tailor his training and it's got to the point that we've decided he needs some rest to get it better. He won't need an operation, he just hasn't felt as fast and sharp as he did at the start of the season, and he felt he probably wasn't doing himself justice.”

But they say every cloud has a silver lining and this one does. With Henderson joining Martin Butler and loan signing Michael Branch on the sidelines young forward Bas Savage has been given squad number twenty. He is likely to be on the bench for Sunday's clash with Tranmere, he has not played for the first team yet after signing from Walton & Hersham two months ago.

Savage was a little shocked that he would get the chance to play for the first team so soon. He told readingfc.co.uk “I didn't expect anything like this at all, it's happened quite fast! I thought I'd just come in, do a few performances for the reserves and next season try to get in the squad with a pre-season behind me. The manager thinks I can do a job for him and he might bring me in for the experience.”

Meanwhile, Sammy Igoe has resumed training and could make his return from injury at Tranmere on Sunday.