READING FC boss Jaap Stam is set to hold talks with injury-plagued Callum Harriott over a future loan move to help the winger get his career back on track.

Harriott has faced almost a year on the sidelines with a major hamstring problem suffered in the fog-abandoned clash against Fulham last December.

The fleet-footed forward, who showed plenty of promise early on in his Madejski Stadium career, has been further hampered by a string of set-backs during his lengthy recovery.

But Stam revealed the 23-year-old is now on the verge of returning to fitness, though he suggested it could be a while before Harriott is back in first-team contention.

And Royals boss hinted a loan move might be the best option to help kick-start Harriott's career.

"Before I talk about sending him out on loan I need to talk to him first and see what his thoughts are," said Stam.

"We know that he's a promising winger with the pace that he has and his ability on the ball.

"We need to speak about it internally and decide what is best for him and for the club."

Harriott has made 17 appearances for Royals to date, scoring three goals, since joining from Charlton in August 2016.

His first goals for the club came with a stellar brace against Milton Keynes Dons in the league cup.

He scored his first Championship goal at Madejski Stadium with a thumping effort against Norwich City on Boxing Day last year, a game Stam's men won 3-1.

But a few days later he was struck down with a hamstring injury after taking a long-rang shot against Fulham before the match was abandoned at half time due to heavy fog, with the score still 0-0.

Bracknell News:

Callum Harriott trudges off the pitch after picking up a hamstring injury against Fulham.

And despite being pleased with his recovery progress, Stam insisted Harriott is a long way off featuring for the first-team again.

"Callum is nearing fitness," he continued.

"He had a test on his hamstring on Tuesday and he is feeling good.

"But he has been out for a year so he needs to get stronger.

"He can do that by training with the group and eventually playing games.

"It will take a while before he can be involved with the first-team squad."