Shaun Goater is keeping his fingers crossed that he will not have to undergo surgery that may force him onto the sidelines during a period which could make or break Reading's season.

Goater was still nursing a swollen right knee yesterday, three days after playing an integral role in last weekend's victory over Millwall - a win that shot the Royals into the First Division play-off picture.

It was the Bermudian's second successive start for the Berkshire side, following three games where he was named as substitute as boss Steve Coppell tinkered with his formation.

However, there is a strong likelihood that he will miss Saturday's crunch clash with high-flying West Brom at the Hawthorns, unless there is a dramatic improvement in his fitness.

Reading physio Jon Fearn is monitoring the situation and gave Goater the worst-case scenario yesterday.

"If it settles down and I am able to get back playing and am alright Saturday, or more likely, a couple of weeks, and it comes back again the physio said that they will have to go in and have a look at it," he told The Royal Gazette yesterday. "At this moment in time I am unaware as to whether I will need an operation. It's a bit too early, but that's what he said.

"That will be the worst-case (scenario) but at this time I am optimistic and am hoping that with a few days rest and with the fluid having gone down I will be able to get back."

Goater said he could not remember having problems with the right knee before in his career, although his medical records showed otherwise.

"According to my records I have had minor scarring there," he said.

Goater said he is unaware how he sustained the injury, saying he could not remember picking up a knock against Millwall. Though he was substituted with 15 minutes remaining it was not because he was struggling, he said, but more for tactical reasons.

"I don't recall any challenges or having fallen awkwardly during the game," he said. "He (Fearn) spoke to the specialist about it and they think it could have become inflamed through training. Our training pitch is pretty hard, whereas our playing pitch is pretty soft and is quality. That could be a reason behind it."

If Lady Luck is not shining on the 33-year-old, the need for surgery and subsequent recovery time could rule him out of a number of games leading up to, and possibly beyond, the busy Christmas period.

It is a fact of football that promotions and relegations can be strongly influenced by what happens between the beginning and end of December. Games come thick and fast and many points are up for grabs. Having a winning or losing run can dictate whether it's celebration or commiseration time come May.

In addition to the mouthwatering League Cup tie with Premiership Chelsea, Reading have five league games in the final month of the year - away days at Wigan, Stoke and Walsall and visits from Crystal Palace and Wimbledon.

Even if fully fit, it is by no means certain that Goater would be in the starting 11 for this Saturday's trip to the Black Country, given Coppell's record, but having re-established himself in the line-up for the Wigan and Millwall victories, the player would at least be hopeful of getting the nod.

Missing out because of injury is something that would not sit easily with him.

"It's an important time to be involved," he acknowledged.

Goater is not alone in making visits to the physiotherapist as John Mackie and Ricky Newman also picked up knocks, while John Salako, Andy Hughes and Graeme Murty have slight muscle strains.