R's physio Paul Hunter has praised the attitude of defender Pat Kanyuka, who is currently sidelined with a thigh injury.

The 20 year-old tore his main thigh muscle off the bone during a pre-season training session and has since undergone an operation.

Hunter said: "Pat has done really well since his operation at the start of June.

"He has now started running and is already at a decent level. It's a big injury in any sport, especially in football, but his work-rate has been second to none and I cannot speak more highly of his attitude."

Hunter added: "He went to Lilleshall (a PFA sponsored rehab specialist unit) for a week, where they work you hard every day from 9am-5pm and I received a call from them saying how well he was doing.

"It was good for him to go there to get a change of environment, as much as anything else. When you are sidelined for a lengthy period of time, it can get very monotonous if you're going to the same gym, day after day."

Kanyuka is determined to bounce back from his latest injury and Hunter is backing him to do so, commenting: "Pat is really determined to get back to full fitness and push hard for a place in the first team.

"In two weeks' time he will have a review to check the strength in his thigh. That will give us a good indication of how long it will be before he returns. At this stage, it is too early to give a date, but if he carries on putting in the effort that he has so far, he'll be back in no time."