New signing set for Palace start

New signing Chris Gunter is set to appear in a Reading shirt for the first time, when Reading take on Crystal Palace tomorrow.


The 23-year old joined from Nottingham Forest for £2.3 million last month, but an ankle injury suffered in Portugal, has delayed some of his pre-season progress. However, he is set to play some part in tomorrow’s friendly with Dougie Freedman’s side and could face the tough task of being up against young starlet Wilfred Zaha.


It is likely that Royals boss Brian McDermott will play his projected first team line-up at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow, with other new signings Adrian Mariappa and Nicky Shorey may having to settle for a place on the bench. Striker Jason Roberts and winger Jimmy Kebe will not be involved due to injury.


Expected line-up: Federici, Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, McCleary, Guthrie, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak