Arsenal loanee Karl Hein has suffered a setback in his development away from north London.
The Estonian international joined Championship club Reading on loan during the January window and following a string of convincing performances for the Royals, the 19-year-old now faces a spell out on the sidelines after sustaining a freak injury.
Reading suffered a blow in their pursuit to stay in the division yesterday, losing to Blackpool 4-1 and manager Paul Ince gave more clarity on Hein’s current situation.
“[Hein] fell in his house and took the ligament off his bone in his thumb, so they’re talking four to six weeks out if he doesn’t need surgery or two months if it does.” Ince said.
New England Revolution keeper Matt Turner will be joining the club in the summer, despite the club not yet confirming his arrival from the United States.
Turner is likely to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for the No.1 jersey next season, with Bernd Leno expected to depart the club and seek first-team football elsewhere.
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Furthermore, youth prospect Arthur Okonkwo is having an encouraging season for the Under-23’s. Given the fact that the north Londoners are well stacked within the goalkeeping department, it’s expected that Hein will most likely spend another season away from the Emirates Stadium after this campaign is completed.
Elsewhere, William Saliba is having yet another excellent season away from the club with French club Marseille whilst Hale End graduate Brooke Norton-Cuffy has been in fine form at Lincoln City since arriving at his new club on loan in the January window.