MIDDLESBROUGH’S prospects of recording eight successive victories for the first time since 1974 have been boosted by injuries to two of Reading’s key players ahead of Saturday’s game at the Madejski Stadium.

Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Leeds was Boro’s seventh win in a row in all competitions, a sequence that represents the club’s longest winning run since Bryan Robson presided over a similarly successful spell in 1995.

Bruce Rioch also claimed seven successive victories as Boro boss in 1987, but you have to go back to Jack Charlton’s promotion winners in the mid-1970s to find the last time the Teessiders claimed eight wins in a row.

Charlton’s side actually managed nine, but before Karanka’s current crop can target that tally, they have to overcome a Reading side who have emerged as strong promotion contenders in the first two months of the season.

The Royals head into this weekend’s game just a place below Boro in the table, but they will have to overcome the absence of Matej Vydra and Stephen Quinn if they are to end their opponents’ winning run and close to within two points of them in the table.

Vydra has proved an astute addition since joining Reading on loan from Watford in the summer, while Quinn has been similarly successful since moving from Hull. Neither, though, will be available for the weekend.

“It’s (Vydra’s injury) going to be reasonably short term,” said Reading boss Steve Clarke. “He damaged his knee against Bristol City and didn’t make the Burnley game, but if I were to put a figure on it, I would say he is probably about 25 per cent ready for Middlesbrough.

“It’s more likely that he should be back to 100 per cent after the international break, and Stephen is similar. He picked up a knock two or three games ago.

“He showed typical character and determination to play through it, but in training last week it started to get a bit too much. So he dropped out and will also be doubtful for Middlesbrough.

“He’s probably got even less of a chance than Vydra to be honest, but hopefully after the international break, they will both be available.”

Karanka is aware of the opportunity to make history this weekend, but with the current season still just two months old, the Spaniard is understandably reluctant to look too far into the future.

“You have to do the right steps that we’re doing, but we’re in September,” said the Boro boss. “I said at the beginning (of the season) and I’ll say it now that this is a difficult, difficult league.

“We’re still at the beginning, but we’ve had one week to prepare for the game against Reading. Then we have two weeks after to prepare for the following month over the international break.”