Bristol City assistant manager Curtis Fleming admits Matty James is still being managed day-to-day and the influential midfielder won't be rushed back from the foot injury that has kept him out of the Robins last five fixtures.
James is dealing with issues related to his plantar fascia - the ligament in the base of the foot - an injury that kept him out for four matches in November and evidently hadn't sufficiently healed when he returned to action the following month.
The 30-year-old is yet to train with the first team, as he undergoes gym work away from the rest of the squad, and won't be involved against Reading on Wednesday night or potentially Swansea City on Sunday as City will ensure he's given the maximum recovery time needed.
James has started every game he's been fit this season, worn the captain's armband in Dan Bentley's absence, and is a hugely important individual in Nigel Pearson's system, dictating tempo and shape from the middle of the park.
"Matty James is coming, but that's a real... every two days, checking and seeing how he is because of the injury he has," Fleming said. "It's difficult, we've got to be careful with him. It's right on the sole of his foot so literally every bit of weight goes through that and there's nothing you can do.
"Jamo, from the goal he scored at Hull where he could barely walk, is desperate to get back, he's desperate to play in the team and we're desperate to have him back but we can't rush him.
"We don't want him coming back, playing for 20 minutes and then we lose him for six weeks. We'd rather give him that little bit more time. He's a huge player for us - we know that, you know that."
City's absentees against the Royals will be the same players who missed the trip to Blackpool with Andy King (hamstring surgery), Rob Atkinson (calf) and George Tanner (hamstring) all out, although with the latter two set to return to training by the end of the month.
Playmaker Kasey Palmer, who has been involved in one Championship matchday squad since November, has a slight knee injury but that isn't thought to be serious.
One player who does make a quick return from the treatment table is Robbie Cundy who, a week after making his Championship debut against Preston North End, was left out of the matchday squad at Bloomfield Road.
Fleming revealed the centre-back felt a tightness in his hamstring and due to his previous injury issues - with the 25-year-old missing the entire first half of the season with knee trouble - the coaching staff didn't want to unnecessarily risk him.
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