July 23 2003

Hayden Mullins

HAYDEN MULLINS has been told he will have to under go a hernia operation.

MULLINS will therefore miss the start of the new season as he recovers from surgery. He is however suspended for the first three games against Burnley, Torquay, and Watford.

The Reading born midfielder joined the rest of the squad for the pre-season training session in Spain and played in the 3-0 victory over Torremolinos.

MULLINS has one year left on his current contract, and Steve Kember has made it known that the club are keen to cash on him, rather than risk losing him next summer on a free transfer.