Reading will be without some crucial players for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday, however will be welcoming forwards Tom Ince and Shane Long back.

Top scorer Ince was suffering from fatigue and dropped to the bench in Friday's 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City, making a cameo in the closing stages.

Long suffered a nasty knock against Rotherham United and missed the Bluebirds defeat with concussion, however is in line to make a return against the Tangerines.

Fellow forward Lucas Joao is still missing with a knee injury.

In midfield, Jeff Hendrick returns after suffering with a virus, but Ovie Ejaria and Sam Hutchinson remains out.

Tom Holmes, struggling with his calf, is '50/50' for Saturday's tie having missed the last three fixtures.

Full-back Baba Rahman is a long-term absentee after rolling his ankle in last week's 2-1 win over Rotherham United.

Speaking on injuries before the visit of Mick McCarthy's side, Paul Ince said: "He [Tom Holmes] did a bit today but he will be a big doubt. He hasn’t played for three weeks. We will have a look tomorrow but it will be 50/50.

"Lucas [Joao] is still out with a knee. He will be back on Monday. He [Ovie Ejaria] had an injection in his knee yesterday so he will be another week or two weeks. Shane Long is back in training, so that’s one positive. Sam [Hutchinson] is going to be a while, a long while. Jeff [Hendrick] is fine. He is back now and ready to go. He’s [Baba] going to be another long-term one, maybe after the international break.