Clarets Next In Line

After Saturday’s games postponement due to a waterlogged pitch, Burnley will again travel to Reading on Tuesday to play the FA Cup tie at 8 o’clock.

As for now there have been no announced changes and so match and team news continues as follows:

Royals manager Steve Coppell is set to ring the changes and is likely to rest a number of his regular first-team players including former Burnley man Glen Little, following four games in nine days over the festive period.

Adam Federici is set to make his debut in the Reading goal, with Andre Bikey, Sam Sodje, and Shane Long all expecting to start. Bobby Convey and Dave Kitson are both hoping to make their long awaited returns to action, whilst veteran right-back De la Cruz should play in Graeme Murty`s absence.

Ade Akinbiyi could feature for Burnley after rejoining the club this week but Michael Duff is suspended.

Frank Sinclair is a doubt with a groin problem, while goalkeeper Danny Coyne (hamstring) and top scorer Andy Gray (foot) remain on the sidelines.

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill admits he is by no means shocked at how well the Royals have adjusted to life in the top flight.

‘I haven’t been surprised by Reading this year because the one thing they were last year is a team. Steve Coppell has done an unbelievable job down there and he’s a really nice man,’ insisted Cotterill.

‘I remember when they beat us 3-0 up here and we have Kyle Lafferty and Michael Duff up front and afterwards he had a good few words of comfort for me. I think he felt for me that day and I will never forget him for that.

‘I know in the background he has excellent staff and a good, honest set of players and they have done fantastically well.

‘Last week’s 6-0 victory over West Ham was unbelievable and we are delighted they have got that one out of the way. I just hope they don’t have another round the corner!

With a frustrating run of form recently, it could be s

Vital Quotes:

Prolific frontman Dave Kitson says he cannot wait to get back in action for the Royals.

Kitson is expected to be in the 16-man squad against Burnley tomorrow, and it will be his first involvement since the opening day of the season.

He explained, ‘I’m really looking forward to it, and it’s come at a nice time with this being an FA Cup weekend, which is always a big occasion in the calendar.

‘I’m not sure what my record is like in the FA Cup but it’s always nice to score, so if I can sneak 15 or 20 minutes and then pop up with a goal it will be a good day’s work!’

The fact that Kitson immediately mentioned the possibility of getting on the scoresheet is a good insight into his confidence in both his fitness and ability, and with our strikers in good form at the moment, he knows he has to make an impact.

‘Goals are what it’s all about. We’ve got Leroy and Kevin scoring, and there aren’t three places up there. Only two can play and I have to catch them.

‘Even if I only have a few minutes then I have to make a contribution and I’ll be looking to score.’

Reading Team News:

Reading (from): Federici, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Sodje, Golbourne, Oster, Bikey, Convey, Seol, Long, Lita, Hunt, Pearce, Sidwell, Kitson, Hahnemann, Doyle.

Player to watch: Bobby Convey

American winger Bobby Convey has been absent since Reading’s 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth back in November. After recently returning to training, Convey may well be in line for an immediate recall to the starting line-up, and judging by the 30-yard arrow that was fired from his bow the last time he confronted Burnley, he’ll be up for it.

Burnley Team News:

Burnley (from): Jensen, Thomas, Foster, McGreal, Harley, Elliott, J O’Connor, Lafferty, McCann, Mahon, Jones, Hyde, Noel-Williams, G O’Connor, Spicer, Akinbiyi

Player to watch: Ade Akinbiyi

Ade Akinbiyi could also feature after the £750,000 New Year’s Day capture from Sheffield United that brought him back to his former club. Akinbiyi`s pace and strength will prove to be a big test for a Reading back-line that`s missing Ibu Sonko, so expect the 32-year-old to cause problems.

Match Facts & Stats

Ref Watch:

Rob Styles – the referee who decided (quite rightly) to postpone the game will return to Reading to finally see over the 3rd round tie between Reading and Burnley.

Match Prediction:

On New Year’s Day I plumped for a draw, hoping that in doing so, I would be proven wrong with the side victorious instead. As it happened, we won 6-0.

Given this, I’ll go for 1-1 tomorrow as well, but will again be secretly hoping for more. We’ll be fielding a young side, but Burnley’s form has dropped recently and I think, with the likes of Convey and Kitson returning, we’ll be tough opponents.

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