Reading's chances of Championship survival have been dealt a crushing blow at the worst possible time ahead of their game with Wigan this weekend. 

In an interview with the Reading Chronicle's Anthony Smith, Gomes revealed that Nelson Oliveira is set to be ruled out of action for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury.

Oliveira picked up the injury into the second-half of their game against Ipswich last weekend, and this latest news will be hugely frustrating for the forward who had been crucial to their upturn in form.

Since signing on loan from Norwich for the remainder of the season, the striker had looked like he was on a one-man mission to keep the Royals in the Championship.

He has netted three goals in his first six starts for Gomes' side and they have secured Reading some vital points in recent weeks.

Oliveira netted the opener in the crucial win over Ipswich last weekend, and Reading supporters will be hoping that he can return sooner than the four-week-spell that he is expected to be sidelined for with the injury.

It could prove to be a season-defining blow for the Royals who have struggled for goals this season, and Gomes will have to count on the likes of Yakou Meite and Danny Loader to provide the goals from the striking position in Oliveira's absence.

If Reading are to have any chance of surviving this season, then they need to be beating the teams around them, starting with a positive result against Wigan this weekend.

The Verdict:

What a devastating blow this is.

Reading's recent upturn in form has largely been down to Oliveira contribution to the team and he is going to leave a notable void up-front.

It's the worst possible timing.