DENISS Rakels is facing months on the sidelines after sustaining a suspected fractured ankle.

The 24-year-old Latvia striker was stretchered off 16 minutes into Tuesday night's EFL Cup second round win against MK Dons at Madejski Stadium.

On a night when Reading picked up a host of injuries, Liam Kelly also required stitches for a nasty facial wound after an accidental clash of heads with teammate Jake Cooper.

Royals hope Kelly has not suffered concussion, though they are less optimistic about Rakels.

“He's seen the specialist and the chances of his ankle being fractured are quite big,” explained Reading assistant manager Andries Ulderink.

“We are waiting for final confirmation but normally you are out for a long time.

“We think Liam Kelly will be okay in a couple of days and we will look at him again on Friday. I don't have big worries about him.”

Rakels appeared to sustain his ankle injury while blocking a clearance by MK Dons defender George B. Williams in the 12th minute.

However, Royals boss Jaap Stam felt there was a more sinister element to the incident.

“I think it was a bad challenge on his ankle and we're not sure if it's very bad,” he said.

“It's a pity if he's injured and is going to be out for a long time. I think it was a tackle.”

Royals may now attempt to bring in another forward before the August 31 transfer deadline as a placement for Rakels.

But Stam is unsure whether funds are available from Royals' Thai owners.

“We're always looking for players who can score goals,” he said. “Deniss has talent and quality. He's very quick, he can get past players easily and he can score goals.

“We will see how long it will take for Deniss to regain his fitness, but maybe we can do something, yes. But it's not really up to me.

“You want quality players in your squad and if someone drops out you have to look at it, but I don't know if it's possible.”

He added: “We've brought in Callum Harriott, Joseph Mendes and Roy Beerens and we are always looking for players of a certain ability who can score goals.

“Dennis had that quality so we need to see if we can do anything.”

Meanwhile, Ulderink also confirmed John Swift is in a race to fit for Saturday's trip to Cardiff City (3pm ko), while defender Cooper is likely to miss out through injury after both received knocks on Tuesday night.

“Jake Cooper also has a swollen ankle, so it's difficult to say about the damage until the swelling goes down,” explained Ulderink. “But I think Saturday isn't gong to work for him.

“A few other players had cramp, but they're all good. However, Yakou Meite still has a problem with his ankle so there is a question mark over him.”