With Andy Carroll joining Reading, they could have the most injury-prone squad ever

Well, Reading have decided to test the resolve of their medical team after completing the signing of the former England international who, on paper, is a great addition to their physio room squad.

The striker, 32, has signed on a short-term contract which will run until mid-January.

The Royals are currently without Danny Drinkwater, who won the Premier League alongside N'Golo Kante with Leicester, and former Barcelona youngster Alen Halilovic.

They are also missing last season's top goalscorer Lucas Joao and fellow forward Yakou Meite - both of whom are unlikely to return until after Christmas.

George Puscas, who is currently on international duty with Romania, is yet to score in 17 appearances this season and has failed to live up to expectations since his move from Inter Milan in 2019.

Manager Veljko Paunovic gave an opportunity to 18-year-old Jahmari Clarke from the bench against Birmingham, with his side 1-0 down.

The academy graduate scored twice and secured all three points for the Berkshire-based side at St Andrew's but, to sum up their injury woes, he is said to have come off injured in an under-23 game the following Monday.

So now they are set to call on Carroll, who has had numerous injuries since leaving Liverpool in 2013 and is now without club after leaving Newcastle in the summer, to score goals at the Madjeski Stadium.

In a recent interview with Alan Shearer, Carroll confirmed he was 'fit all season' at the St James' Park throughout the last campaign, but just didn't get the chance under the boss Steve Bruce.

"I didn't really get a run out at Newcastle. I was in, I was out, I was in again," he told The Athletic.

"And I was fit all season. The stats say that for 43 games, I was available for 40 of them. I was training every day; I think I was in the top four in training throughout the year."

The Royals will be hoping Carroll can continue to stay fit and, looking at the league table, many may believe that the Royals can aim for the Championship play-offs and possibly promotion this season.

They are currently 16th but only four points adrift of the top six.

However, there is a nine-point deduction looming over the club for breaching financial rules, which is set to be imposed before the end of the season.

Could signing Carroll be a masterstroke or a disaster? We'll just have to wait and see…