Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic has labelled tonight's clash with AFC Bournemouth as a 'special game'.

A win for Reading would see the Royals draw level on points with Swansea City in second spot ahead of the remainder of this weekend's fixtures.

It would also see Paunovic's side go eight points clear of Middlesbrough in seventh position.

Reading Chronicle:

Yakou Meite is expected to be available for the game

Speaking ahead of the game, Paunovic said: "It is a big test and it's another ingredient to our preparation and motivation for the game which is another positive.

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"When this team has faced challenges before, they have always responded well and for many reasons the game is a big challenge.

"From what I have seen so far, everything looks good.

“Winning would give us an edge and recover the game where we were defeated earlier in the season against Bournemouth. 

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"Everyone is in combat mode and ready for tomorrow. 

“They [AFC Bournemouth] have confidence and quality in attack, as a squad, they have a good approach towards every game and a lot of experience. 

“We are also in a good spot and more mature than we were before when we played them the first time, so I think it will be a different game.

“It’s a special game for many reasons.

"It always requires tuning one way or the other, we don’t want the guys to burn out but we don’t want them to start on the back foot and that will be key.

“We have put together a strategy and recovered a special mood and spirit which we had at the beginning of the season.

"We are all excited about the game to try and continue our run.”