Lane's afternoon was cut short after appearing to suffer a calf problem during the second half at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, putting a dampener on an otherwise positive afternoon for Reading as Kyreece Lisbie's double secured all three points.

Speaking after the game, Richardson admitted the injury "didn't look great" but is awaiting further assessment before discovering the full extent of the problem.

"It didn't look great for Paddy, did it?

"I think he'd pulled his calf on a kind of transitional run when he was sprinting.

"So, yeah, hopefully it's not as bad as it looked because, obviously, he's been in really good form this year and he was growing from strength to strength, hasn't he?

"So, fingers crossed it's not as bad as we first thought."

Lane has been a key figure for Reading this season and his potential absence would be a blow for Richardson ahead of a busy run of fixtures on the road.

The Royals return to action next weekend with a trip to Plymouth as they look to build on successive home victories.