Fit-again striker pushing for a recall after scoring at Leeds

The 23-year-old Latvia striker returned from a month out with injury during the 3-2 loss at Leeds United on Saturday.

Rakels, signed by Reading's Thai owners from Polish club Cracovia in January, came off the bench to grab an equaliser at Elland Road, only for Chris Wood to score a late winner for the hosts.

But Rakels' display will have planted a seed in Brian McDermott's mind and the Reading manager may be tempted to bring him in for the Hull City clash at Madejski Stadium, with Lucas Piazon likely to make way.

Royals go into tonight's clash in a mini slump after a trio of losses to Leeds, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City.

But goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi insists performances have been encouraging.

“We have to keep going and keep working really hard in the last four games,” said the Oman stopper who became the first Arab player to captain and English club on Saturday.

“We have another game this week against Hull City so hopefully we’ll have a good recovery and be ready.

“When you show this form, the results will come. We had two games away from home and put in two very good performances, but got nothing.

“We have to keep going until the end of the season and we will try to make the fans happy on Tuesday when we play Hull at Madejski Stadium.”

Reading duo Paul McShane and Danny Williams are both serving the second of their three match suspensions tonight following their on-field bust up at Boro last week.

Full-backs Jordan Obita and Chris Gunter are also unavailable through injury, while Aaron Tshibola and Hal Robson-Kanu remain long-term casualties.

Reading have dropped to 15th position in the table, while fourth-placed Hull City will look to maintain their slim hopes of automatic promotion with a win in Berkshire.

Steve Bruce's side defeated Royals 2-1 in December when Steve Clarke was in charge in the corresponding fixture.

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