Middlesbrough forward Rudy Gestede has been ruled out for ten days with a thigh injury, according to www.24hauvenin.info (via Teesside Live). The Benin website reports that the 30-year-old was injured in training whilst on international duty last week.

The forward won’t take any part in Benin’s friendly versus Algeria today and was not included in the squad for the national team’s 2-1 win against the Ivory Coast in France on Friday evening.

Gestede has had to settle for cameo appearances under manager Jonathan Woodgate in the Championship so far this season, with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Crewe Alexandra last month.

With Gestede now expected to miss out on the match against Reading, it could leave Boro with very few striker options on the bench, if Ashley Fletcher starts at the Riverside Stadium this weekend.

Woodgate may put his faith in Stephen Walker, who has been a substitute in all four of the Teessider’s league games so far this campaign, although he is not an out-and-out forward.