JAAP Stam is dealing with a growing injury list ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup second round tie against Millwall (8pm ko).

Liam Kelly and John Swift both suffered knocks in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Preston and are unlikely to feature in the Madejski Stadium clash.

With Joey van den Berg and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson both recovering from injury and Yann Kermorgant out for the long term following surgery, Stam’s options appear limited.

It means the Dutchman is likely to hand an opportunity to a number of his younger players, as he did in the 2-0 home victory over Gillingham in the first round of the newly-named competition when 21-year-old Kelly scored both goals.

On that occasion, Royals Academy graduates Omar Richards, Josh Barrett, Andy Rinomhota and Sam Smith all started, while youngster Tyler Frost, Ryan East, Danny Loader and George Legg were named on the bench, with back-up keeper Anssi Jaakkola in goal.

Stam admitted: “We need to have a look at what we can do with the players between now and then.

“Both Liam Kelly and John Swift came off injured against Preston, and we don’t know what their physical state will be.

“We will have to see who will be playing.”

Reading Chronicle:

Liam Kelly suffered an injury at Deepdale on Saturday.

Both Reading and Millwall have had sluggish starts in the Championship, with Royals sitting on four points after four games and Millwall on two points, having yet to win a match.

Lions knocked out League One Stevenage in the first round and boss Neil Harris is likely to ring the changes tonight, with one eye on their vital league clash against Norwich City this weekend.

That means ex-Reading defender Jake Cooper could start against his old club following his summer move to The Den, having been an unused substitute in recent games.

Ticket prices tonight have been slashed to £7 adults in advance, £5 for ages 18-24 and 65 & Over, and £1 for ages £17 & Under.

The timing of the third round Carabao Cup draw has been ridiculed on social media as it takes place in Beijing, China at 11.15am this Thursday – or 04.15am our time.