Next Up: Reading vs Exeter City
City fans will be forgiven for thinking that the trip to Spain was a waste of money after seeing another poor display on Saturday, only rescued by the late equaliser from Sonny Cox, his first league goal in a year. A busy and vital run of games against teams near the bottom is interrupted by a trip to a side lurking just outside the playoffs. Jack McMillan was an injury casualty against Northampton and is likely to miss the trip, but there is better news in that Ed Turns is in line to make his belated league debut having missed the last three matches following his FA Cup red card. Jack Aitchison also returned to the team on Saturday to provide a welcome boost to Gary Caldwell’s attacking options.
Reading don’t appear to have missed a beat since the departure of manager Ruben Selles to Hull in December, with former player Noel Hunt now in charge the Royals go in to Tuesday night’s match on the back of a five match unbeaten run to lie in 9th place. Saturday saw Hunt’s side come from behind to beat Wigan 2-1, while one of those unbeaten matches was a 0-0 draw with runaway leaders Birmingham. With the off-field issues still dogging the club albeit with an end potentially in sight, Hunt was limited to two loan signings in the January window in the loan back of Tyler Bindon – signed by Nottingham Forest – and the vastly experienced Billy Bodin. Reading have relied heavily on their former Cambridge pair of Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith for their goals, both have 11 league goals (Knibbs is overall top scorer with 13), while Bodin has yet to hit the target in five appearances (four as sub).
Reading took the points at SJP back in October – a disastrous start for City saw Wareham score in the first minute with Craig scoring to make it 2-0 at half time. Niskanen pulled one back with his first goal for the club but despite dominating possession City couldn’t find an equaliser. City’s visit to the Madejski last season was a new year’s cracker that finished 3-2 to the hosts. Knibbs gave Reading the lead which was cancelled out by Jules. Hartridge’s own goal on the stroke of half time ensured Reading led at the break, but Rankine equalised before Azeez scored what turned out to be the winner. Those wins extended Reading’s lead in league head to heads to 49-23, with just 13 draws.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: Richard Eley
Assistant Referees: Joseph Stokes and Alex Bradley
Fourth Official: David Rock
This is Richard Eley’s first season one the EFL List, and he mainly takes charge of National League games. In 16 games he’s booked 76 players, sending off one player. So far he’s not taken charge of a Reading or an Exeter game.
Gary Caldwell interview
Sonny Cox interview