FORMER Bury midfielder Phil Parkinson is a major doubt for the injury-hit Royals trip to Gigg Lane.

Parkinson (29) has an achilles injury which is almost certain to rule him out of a sentimental return to Bury.

"My heart has been ruling my head and I have been pushing it in training trying to get fit but it looks as though I'll miss out," declared Parky yesterday. "It is a shame because I have a lot of good friends at the club but whatever happens I'll be travelling up and will watch the match."

Parkinson who played 145 league games for Bury before his move to Elm Park had comforting words for the Shakers on the eve of their First Division debut.

"Some of the names of the clubs are more awe-inspiring than their players," he reckoned. "If you are committed and well-organised, like Bury are, then there is no reason to be scared of sides."

Parky tipped both Reading and Bury to stay up and reckoned his teammates will get a result tomorrow even without him.

That, however, would fly in the face of recent history for the Royals have only registered one win in the last sixteen visits stretching back to to 1959-60. The other fifteen matches have all been won by Bury.

Previous news story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.