Reading FC are back in action on Saturday afternoon (3PM Kick-Off) against Huddersfield Town as they look to earn their first win since November.
Following last weekend's heartbreaking last-gasp defeat to Middlesbrough, Reading were brushed aside by Luuton Town on Wednesday night with manager Veljko Paunovic criticising his side's lack of "courage".
Team News
It's rare that we start this section with good news but for once Reading appear to have no fresh injury concerns and could even get a few players back for Saturday.
Ovie Ejaria, who has been sidelined since late November with a combination of a soft-tissue injury and Covid returned to training this week and Paunovoc expressed optimism that the midfielder could be in the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, full-backs Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman should be on track to regain their starting spots after their Africa Cup of Nations ended early thanks to Ghana's shock group stage exit.
Alen Halilovic, injured in the defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, has teased a possible return with the Instagram story seen below.
Seems like Alen Halilovic may be back this weekend according to this semi-cryptic message on his Instagram story…#readingfc pic.twitter.com/wSWMGP6ykf
— Benjy Nurick (@BenjyNurick) January 21, 2022
Long-term absentees Tom McIntyre and Yakou Meite remain sidelined while the game will likely come too soon for Scott Dann, Junior Hoilett and Felipe Araruna. Dethroned captain Liam Moore is also still injured according to Paunovic.
Huddersfield will be without centre-back Levi Colwill as the Chelsea loanee continues to work his way back from a knee injury but winger Daniel Sinani should be fit to play after overcoming a recent hamstring problem.
Form Guide
Reading's meek surrender to Luton on Wednesday night made it six consecutive games without a Championship victory, their last three points coming away at Swansea in late-November.
Since then they've drawn twice and suffered four defeats while also being knocked out of the FA Cup by sixth-tier minnows Kidderminster Harriers.
Last Five: LLLDL
Huddersfield meanwhile, are in far better form than the Royals, unbeaten in their last seven league matches. They have, howeer, had some trouble turning draws into wins, emerging victorious in just three of those seven games.
Last weekend they took the lead against Swansea City but couldn't hold on as a 78th minute Flynn Downes goal ensured the spoils were shared.
Last Five: DDWWW
Opposition Danger Man: Sorba Thomas
The 22-year old winger has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the Championship after cutting his teeth with non-league Boreham Wood.
Thomas was released fro the West Ham academy at the age of 16 when he joined National League side. Upon breaking into the Boreham Wod first team, Thomas showed enough promise for a raft of Football League clubs to show an interest in him but Huddersfield won the race for his signature last January.
Faced with the significant step up to the Championship, Thomas has thrived in his new surroundings. In August, he was awarded the Championship Player of the Month award and he's gone on to score three goals and supply eight assist so far this season.
Last Time Out: Hudderfield 4-0 Reading, August 28th 2021
The last time these sides met, Reading suffered their second-heaviest defeat of the season as The Terriers cruised to a 4-0 victory.
Lewis O'Brien gave the home side the lead six minutes before half-time and the Royals collapsed after the break as Huddersfield ran rampant. Matthew Pearson doubled the lead in the 51st minute before Sorba Thomas made it three in the 66th.
Just two minutes later, Daniel Ward struck to complete the scoring as Huddersufled earned a dominant three points.
Predicted Reading XI
Paunovic should have a significantly stronger squad at his disposal this weekend thanks in no small part to the return of this two starting full-backs.
Michael Morrison received rave reviews on his own return to the side and he should keep his place while Josh Laurent and Danny Drinkwater start ahead of the defence. Andy Rinomhota was utilised at right wing against Luton and could be in line for s a similar role unless Ejaria proves able to start.
Up front, George Puscas was as toothlesss as expected on Wednesday and after a pair of subsitute appearances, striker Lucas Joao could finally be ready for his first start since August.
(4-3-3)
Luke Southwood; Andy Yiadom, Tom Holmes, Michael Morrison, Baba Rahman; Danny Drinkwater, Josh Laurent; Andy Rinomhota, John Swift, Tom Dele-Bashiru; Lucas Joao
How To Watch
Being a 3PM kick-off, those in the UK won’t be able to watch this fixture on TV.
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