READING FC strikers Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Yakou Meite could both be involved in tomorrow’s clash at fellow-strugglers Rotherham United (3pm ko).

Caretaker boss Scott Marshall confirmed both players returned to full training this week as Royals continue their search for a new manager.

Bodvarsson and Meite are the club’s joint-top scorers with seven goals each and the pair’s potential involvement at New York Stadium will be a massive boost for Royals, who failed to muster a single shot on target in the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United last weekend.

Marshall explained: “We’ve had a little look at Yak and we’re hopeful he will be in contention.

“Jon Dadi has joined in training and it’s great to have him around again. He’s a positive personality in the group and he’s got some goals this season.

“We’re happy he’s back and we will consider him for the weekend. We just have to be sensible with it.”

Bodvarsson has been out with a broken bone in his back and has not featured since a 2-0 defeat at Swansea City on October 27.

Meite picked up an ankle injury in a 3-2 win against Bristol City at the beginning of November, Reading’s last victory.

He played through the pain barrier for the next four games – scoring twice against Ipswich Town – but missed last weekend’s clash against the Blades.

Reading Chronicle:

Yakou Meite is touch-and-go for the weekend's clash at Rotherham United. 

Meanwhile, Dave Edwards is back from a long injury lay-off as he looks for his first taste of first-team action this season.

However, skipper Liam Moore, Paul McShane, John O’shea and Saeid Ezatolahi remain sidelined.

Marshall added: “Liam Moore has an issue but he’s making strides every day and he’s a strong guy.

“We have a lot of decisions to make and I’m looking forward to it.”

With centre-backs Moore, McShane and O’Shea all out, Royals last week recalled 20-year-old Gabriel Osho from his loan at Aldershot along with midfielder Josh Barrett, 20.

Marshall explained: “There are injuries around the centre back so Gabe is around and working with the group.

“It’s slightly different with Josh, but they are both players we rate very highly and we’re here to help them with their development.”

Reading are now without a win in five Championship matches and the defeat to the Blades pushed them into the relegation zone with 18 points from 21 games.

Rotherham are 20th in the table with three more points, and a win for Royals this weekend should lift them out of the bottom three.

“Rotherham are a really competitive team and they’ve had some good results at their ground,” stated Marshall. “We will need to be ready for that and I’m sure we will be.”

Reading are highly unlikely to name a successor to Paul Clement before the weekend meaning Marshall will be in temporary charge for a second game.

Reading Chronicle:

Caretaker boss Scott Marshall took training this week.

And Royals’ Under 23s boss says he has enjoyed working with the first-team squad alongside Nigel Gibbs, Michael Gilkes and Dave Beasant.

“We’re a few days on now, we’ve been thrown together quite quickly but we’ve been able to build relationships all over the place, every day,” he said.

“I’m enjoying getting to know people around us better and the great thing about football is that it’s a team game. It’s really rewarding and I’m enjoying that.

“You have to have a certain level of dedication to become a first-team player. You can’t underestimate how hard they have to work to get to where they are.

“We are always quick to have an idea about players’ lifestyles, but it’s a tough, tough business. To get league games under your belt is not an easy thing to do.

“I’ve worked with the Under 23s until now and I know how hard it is to break though.

“The first-team players have managed to do that and we all have to be mindful of the sacrifices they have made to get to where they are.”