Danny Williams suffered a knee injury at the end of last season and hoped resting would bring relief. That was not to be the case as he underwent knee surgery this week.

The United States international had been playing for Reading this preseason but in the end, he could not overcome his knee pain.

"Did everything to avoid knee surgery but at the end of the day you have to listen to your body," Williams said on his website. "Behind every negative is a positive. Looking forward to coming back stronger."

It is unclear at the moment how much time he will miss but it is a harsh blow to Reading as Williams is an integral part of the club's expected push for promotion this season.