Reading FC midfielder Andy Rinomhota has been called up by Zimbabwe for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His international return means he could miss two Reading fixtures next month, as his club sits fifth in League One with 21 points from 12 games, having recorded six wins, three draws and three losses.

Rinomhota, 29, rejoins the national team setup for the first time since withdrawing from last year's AFCON tournament due to family reasons. He had issued a statement on social media at the time, explaining his need to attend to an urgent family matter. Since his return to the fold in September, he has started both of Zimbabwe's recent qualifiers, a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone and a 2-1 defeat to DR Congo.

AFCON qualification stakes

Zimbabwe currently sit second in Group E, with 12 points still available across the final two rounds of matches next March. In most groups, the top two teams qualify directly for the finals. The 2027 tournament will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, the first time the event has been staged across three nations.

Potential absence impact

Rinomhota's call-up is for qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea in November. This schedule is likely to rule him out of Reading's League One match at home to Stockport County on November 10 and the subsequent Jersey Mike's Trophy fixture against Bristol Rovers on November 14. The midfielder has been a regular starter for Reading this season following his re-signing last campaign.

Reading's current form

Reading head into the final fixture before the international break sitting fifth in League One with 21 points from 12 games. They are four points behind leaders Huddersfield and face a key test away at fourth-placed Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 31 October. Their recent form has been mixed, with three wins and two losses from their last five matches, though they are on a two-game winning run after beating Leyton Orient and Barnsley. Those wins were a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient on 21 October, with P. Lane scoring, and a 2-1 comeback against Barnsley on 24 October where Kyreece Joshua Lisbie scored twice. This season, Reading have scored 25 goals and conceded 13, giving them a goal difference of +12. The team's top scorer this season is J. Marriott with eight goals in seven appearances.

Manager Paul Ince will need to plan for Rinomhota's absence as his side looks to maintain their push near the top of the standings. The club's next match at Home Park is a key one in that context.

The report in full is at uk.sports.yahoo.com