The Royals welcome football league new boys Burton Albion to the Madejski Stadium for a Carling Cup 1st round tie on Tuesday.
Vital Quotes: Brendan Rodgers
‘We can still field a strong team full of good players and quality and progress well. Our international guys come back on Thursday afternoon and I have faith in all the group.’
Reading Team News:
The Royals will have to do without 8 first team players who are on international duty including Simon Church, Shane Long and Ryan Bertrand. Brendan Rodgers is confident in his squad though and the likes of David Mooney, James Henry and Chris Armstrong are set to get their chance. Noel Hunt is likely to be on the bench and will hope for some game time but Julian Kelly remains on the treatment table. Ben Hamer is likely to make his Reading debut as Adam Federici gets a rest.
Player to watch: Ben Hamer
Hamer is likely to be given the nod over Adam Federici for this Carling Cup tie and after making over 100 appearances for Brentford and Crawley in loan spells over the past couple of season’s, he will be looking to perform well on his Royals debut and prove he is a contender to Federici for the numer 1 jersey.
Burton Albion Team News:
Burton will be without highl rated striker Robin Shroot for the game as he is away on internation duty with Northern Ireland under 21. Artur Krysiak has joined onloan from Birmingham but will not be considered for the game.
Player to watch: Greg Pearson
The striker scored Albion’s first goal in the football league on Saturday in the 3-1 defeat to Shrewsbury after coming off the bench. With Shroot on international duty, Pearson will hope for a start in this game and will be looking to get on the scoresheet again.
Match Facts & Stats
The Royals haven’t lost in the first round of the Carling Cup since 2002, when we lost 3-1 at Cambridge. Burton are making their debut in the competition, as the football leagues newest club.
Ref Watch:
Gavin Ward of Surrey will take charge of the game. He is most know for being an assistant in the Premier League, and looking about 12 years old!
Match Prediction:
Despite the players away on international duty this should be a comfortable home win. 3-0
Next Fixture:
15th August 2009 Newcastle (A) 17:20
