Reading FC

Reading FC midfielder Brian Howard is helped off by head physio Jon Fearn
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Reading FC's Brian Howard to have metal plates inserted into his jaw

By Jonny Fordham
November 30, 2009

Brian Howard will have metal plates inserted into his fractured jaw this afternoon and has been ruled out for at least a month.

The Reading midfielder was involved with an accidental clash of heads during the 2-1 loss to Derby County and was substituted after 20 minutes for Jem Karacan at Pride Park.

To add insult to injury, while he was laying flat out on the turf, County’s mascot Rammie the Ram accused him of play acting and feigning injury.

Ban the Ram!

Royals’ head physio told the Reading Post: “We’ll have to wait and see how it all heals after the surgery, but initially I would say he could be out for between four to six weeks.

“It’s a routine operation for the surgeon who will be operating, but it’s a fairly rare injury to see in football.”

Howard was treated on the pitch and looked like he needed a stretcher to help him off, but got to his feet to receive a standing ovation from the 500 or so travelling Reading fans.

And Chelsea-bound Fearn added: “Brian was in quite a bad way and as a result of the impact and he also suffered some mild concussion.

“We wanted to make sure he was fully comfortable before moving him off the pitch and you always have to treat any kind of head injury seriously.”

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