The Royals travel to Portman Road to face Roy Keane’s Ipswich side on Saturday, the first of 2 games in 3 days over the Easter period. A full match preview is here…
Vital Quotes:
Royals manager Brian McDermott –
‘Ipswich away is a really good game. I was there earlier this season for a game and they have great fans, who will no doubt create a fantastic atmosphere.’
Liam Rosenior –
‘It’s so good to see someone like Brian McDermott get a chance in management because he’s worked so hard at that club, bringing players in and looking after players and he’s getting the results and performances that the Reading fans deserve. It’s good that Reading are doing so well – I never thought they were in danger of going down and I wish everyone at the club all the best.’
Ipswich Team News:
Liam Rosenior is again eligible to play against his parent club, as he was earlier in the season, and is likely to start at right back. Young striker Connor Wickham is back in the squad after a stint on international duty with England under 17’s.
Player to watch: Darryl Murphy
The on loan Sunderland man has rediscovered his goal scoring touch since linking up with Roy Keane again at Portman Road. He will be a handful for the Royals defence.
Reading Team News:
Jay Tabb has a chance of making the bench after making a quicker than expected recovery from a sprained ankle, but fellow midfielder Marek Matejovsky is out after surgery to fix an abdominal injury.
Player to watch: Zurab Kizhanishvili
Performed exceptionally well against West Brom in his first game deputising for the injured Ivar Ingimarsson. He will be looking to forge a solid partnership at the back with Matt Mills for the rest of the season.
Last Meeting
Saturday November 7th 2009, Reading 1-1 Ipswich
Match Prediction:
Ipswich have had their problems this season, and Roy Keane remains under pressure in the Portman Road hotseat but it is a tough place to go. I’m backing us to get a draw and can see a repeat of the earlier fixture this season, 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
Monday 5th April 2010, Coventry (H)
