OLA John is set to win a recall to the Reading FC starting line-up tonight as Brian McDermott's men look to remain unbeaten at home in the league in 2016.

Royals host Nottingham Forest at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko) having clinched a first win in five Championship matches at the weekend.

And on-loan Benfica winger John, whose sensational late winner secured victory at 10-man Bolton on Saturday, is likely to start the game against Forest.

John, 23, reflected on his 30-yard strike saying: “I had a little bit of space, and sometimes that’s all you need.

“A few weeks ago against Huddersfield I did the same and it gave me confidence to try again.

“It was a big relief for us as we needed the three points. It’s a bit different coming off the bench but if you score a last minute winner it’s a big relief for me and the team of course.”

Reading looked to have blown it at Bolton when Matej Vydra's penalty was saved by Ben Amos following the sending off of Rob Harding in the 22nd minute.

Royals also squandered a host of other chances until John popped up in the 90th minute with his fourth goal of the season.

“After the penalty chance, we didn’t give up and you saw what happened in the last few minutes,” he added.

“You always have to keep going and keep trying to the very last second of the game.

“It was quite a tough game – people would think when you have a one man advantage it makes the game easier, but it’s the opposite.

“After we missed the penalty we had a lot of good chances, but their coach changed the tactics, he made it really tight and hard for us to find opportunities.

“In the last minute of the game I took a chance and the shot went in. I think we deserved the win but it’s not always that easy.”

While Royals remain unbeaten at home in the league this season, Forest have suffered seven defeats in their previous nine games including a 3-0 reverse to Brentford at the City Ground on Saturday.

Interim Forest manager Paul Williams is without the services of the suspended Eric Lichaj.

Reading, meanwhile, will be without Hal Robson-Kanu, Garath McCleary, Michael Hector, Deniss Rakels and Aaron Tshibola through injury.

Vydra's place in the starting line-up is also under threat following his unconvincing display and penalty miss against Bolton.

But McDermott defended the on-loan Watford striker, saying: "He has had opportunities and not scored, but there is no way in a millions years that I would make comments about Matej Vydra that are detrimental to him. He is a great lad.”

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