DENISS Rakels could be set to make his full Reading FC debut in tomorrow's Championship home fixture against promotion-chasing Burnley (3pm ko), writes Anthony Smith.

The 23-year-old striker is yet to start a first-team match after arriving from Polish club Cracovia in a £400,000 deal during the January transfer window.

The Latvia hitman was lagging behind the rest of the squad in terms of his fitness as the Polish league had been on their winter break just before he signed.

But boss Brian McDermott has been keen to get him up to speed with a series of practice matches and he also played an hour for the Under 21s on Monday in a 1-0 victory against Leicester City at Hogwood Park when Rowan Liburd netted the winner.

With Matej Vydra (hamstring) and Hal Robson-Kanu (calf) both facing late fitness tests before tomorrow's clash, McDermott could now hand Rakels a start in order to boost his side's firepower.

Royals' boss said: “I'm really pleased with Deniss. He's a great lad and his English is okay when you speak to him one-to-one because we've had a number of chats.

“He's a bright player, his movement is economical and he knows where to pick up space.”

Rakels made his first appearance in a Reading shirt when he came off the bench in the 0-0 home draw against Wolves last weekend.

It was a dramatic introduction as Rakels saw a strong penalty claim turned down in the 90th minute when he went down in the box following a challenge by Danny Batth.

“In the 10 minutes he had against Wolves I thought he did really well,” added McDermott.

“I thought he should have had a penalty right at the end when he was pulled back by the shoulder.

“He said it was a penalty. At the time I asked to the fourth official why he fell over and he said he didn't know why.

“You don't really fall over when you are about to score on your debut.

“But he has adapted really quickly. I think he's enjoying it here and everyone wants him to do really well.

“He also played 60 minutes for the Under 21s this week so he will be involved on Saturday.”

In addition to doubts over the fitness of Vydra and Robson-Kanu, Danny Williams also looks likely to miss Saturday's match after suffering a hamstring injury against Wolves.

Reading, without a win in five league games, will be looking to complete an impressive double over Burnley, having triumphed 2-1 at Turf Moor in September when Steve Clarke was at the helm.

Lucas Piazon and Nick Blackman scored the goals that sent Royals up to third in the table at the time.

However, Reading have taken just nine points from the last 39 on offer and are now 15th in the table, a full 19 points behind Burnley who are third.

Sean Dyche's Clarets will be without midfielder Dean Marney (calf), though in Andre Gray they have a prolific striker with 18 goals in 28 appearances this season.

McDermott confirmed he will be picking the brains of coach and former Burnley player Steven Reid before tomorrow's game.

“I sat and watched their game against Hull with him the other day,” revealed McDermott. “He knows Burnley off by heart.

“I have no problem with the effort and desire we are showing at the moment, but we've got to match that with results.

“We're at home again and our home form is okay. We dug out a result against Wolves and we'll try and get a result against Burnley.”

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