Paul McShane and Joey Van den Berg are both set to miss the next two games as they continue to recover from injuries. The Royals will be without both players ahead of Barnsley's visit to the Madejski Stadium this Saturday. Reading have two home games in the space of four days as they look to pick up points at home to keep the pace with the division's top two. Brentford are the next visitors on Tuesday night, and Reading fans will be hoping for a maximum six points to keep the outside chance of automatic promotion alive.
Despite McShane and Van den Berg likely to be sidelined, Reading manager Jaap Stam delivered an upbeat injury update this morning and he confirmed that a number of key players are on the verge of returning to action but will be unable to face either Barnsley or Brentford. Stephen Quinn has been out for a long time, with his last first team action all the way back in October 2016 - Reading's 0-2 away defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup. However, things are looking up for Quinn with Stam confirming he has at last returned to training with the first team: "He is getting back into the routine of training, small games, big games, getting his match fitness. He's getting there as well, he's feeling a lot better than he was a few weeks ago." The Royals have been getting by without Quinn but, despite the recent arrivals, he remains a very useful player to have available to bring back into the squad.
Meanwhile Callum Harriott remains out with his hamstring injury and defender Tiago Ilori still has his knee in a brace, with Stam expecting his recovery to take "several weeks". Ilori has had bad luck since signing for an estimated 3.75 million pounds from Liverpool a month ago. He has managed just two games and been forced to sit out the last three games. His only start was at Derby County as the Royals slumped to a 2-3 defeat.
Ilori, McShane and Van den Berg's absence saw Jaap Stam snap up West Ham youngster Reece Oxford on loan on transfer deadline day to fill in the middle of defence. Oxford was an unused substitute during Reading's 2-2 draw at Ipswich but will be hoping to make his home debut this weekend. Those that didn't travel to Ipswich will be looking forward to seeing some new faces with Mutch and Grabban likely to play. With other players returning from injury in the near future, Stam is spoilt for choice as he looks to build a promotion challenge.
McShane And Van den Berg To Miss Barnsley Visit
From the Discussion
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KR Kuhl_Runnings 9 Feb 2017 · 10:25am
Tricky enough game, although they've lost key players recently and we've already beat them. I'll go for 2-1, Grabban to grab (pun not intended) a brace on his home debut.
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OR oh_ROAR 9 Feb 2017 · 10:45am
Lost most of their key players to Villa. So for that reason we'll probably lose. Here's hoping for a 2-0 win
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WA WAZZOCK 9 Feb 2017 · 10:49am
They're strong at home, less so away and have lost most of their key players to Villa. So for that reason we'll probably lose. Here's hoping for a 2-0 win Given that they are 5th in the away table and 15th in the home table - this is highly inaccurate.
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OR oh_ROAR 9 Feb 2017 · 10:55am
They're strong at home, less so away and have lost most of their key players to Villa. So for that reason we'll probably lose. Here's hoping for a 2-0 win Given that they are 5th in the away table and 15th in the home table - this is highly inaccurate. My mistake, chatting out my arse as usual
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HO Hound 9 Feb 2017 · 11:11am
I'm expecting a win, but will be tough. Much rather play these northern teams on decent pitches and warm weather, not in the cold filth forecast for the weekend. 2-0 Grabban and McCleary.
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RJ Royal_jimmy 9 Feb 2017 · 1:31pm
Reading 2-0 Barnsley Grabban and McCleary
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GE genome 9 Feb 2017 · 1:33pm
1-0 Grabban
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GF Gunny Fishcake 9 Feb 2017 · 6:15pm
Confident victory....3-1 after going one nil down