Reading striker Sam Smith is set to make his second debut for the club on Saturday, recovering from a long-term injury in time for the trip to Charlton Athletic.

The 25-year-old rose through the youth ranks in Berkshire and made his debut back in 2017.

Scoring twice in 11 matches, the Mancunian went away and scored 35 goals in two seasons for Cambridge United, returning to the Royals over the summer on a three-year deal.

Appearing in one pre-season match, and getting an assist for former U's teammate Harvey Knibbs, the forward suffered an injury and has not kicked a ball all season.

However, that is set to change this weekend as Reading visit in-form Charlton.

More than 2,500 Royals are heading to the Valley, with the club winless on the road for almost a calendar year.

"The good news is that Mamadi Camara is already training with us, and Sam Smith, so it can be that they are in the game," boss Ruben Selles revealed to the media.

Reading, in the league, are among the lowest scorers and only Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has contributed more than two goals in the third tier. Selles expects Smith to change that.

"He should be ready to play a part of the game, from the beginning or stepping in. We still have a training [session] to go but it will be my decision.

"Sam has experience of the category and has scored goals in the category consistently. He knows the opponents and stadiums. We brought him in the summer because we knew he could be one of our key players and that is what he needs to bring to us- that competitiveness and robustness from the front in the lineup or stepping in. It is undeniable, his capacity to score goals."