Royals Travel To Riverside

The Royals return to Premier League action this weekend, with a trip to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

After making seven changes for last weekend’s FA Cup draw at Manchester United, Steve Coppell will revert to his normal league side.

Marcus Hahnemann will return in goal, with Graeme Murty coming in at right back. Andre Bikey, though, received his fifth yellow card of the season at Old Trafford and will be suspended.

Bikey’s absence could mean a Reading debut for Michael Duberry, a recent signing from Stoke City. He will compete with Brynjar Gunnarsson and Sam Sodje for a place in the starting line up.

In midfield, James Harper, Stephen Hunt and Glen Little should return to the team, with Leroy Lita resuming his place in attack.

The identity of Lita’s strike partner is open to question, with Shane Long and Dave Kitson both in contention but Kevin Doyle not yet fully recovered from his hamstring injury.

Bobby Convey has been ruled out with a troublesome knee injury that will require further surgery.

Gareth Southgate could hand a debut to striker Dong Gook Lee after the South Korean international played 45 minutes for the reserves against Manchester United on Thursday.

Chris Riggott and Stuart Parnaby also featured in that fixture in their rehabilitation from injury, but this weekend’s game could come too soon for a first team return.

Mark Viduka and Aiyegbini Yakubu are set to resume their partnership in attack, with Jonathan Woodgate the central defensive lynchpin.

Julio Arca has been impressing recently in a central midfield role alongside George Boateng, with Stewart Downing a constant threat down the left wing.

Abel Xavier has recently returned to action after a drugs ban, and has been filling the right back role.

Vital Quotes: Steve Coppell

Our life in the Premiership started with a brilliant 3-2 comeback victory against Boro in August, and Steve said it was an incredibly significant win.

‘When we were 2-0 down I was lining up the excuses!

‘But we got back into it, and that became so significant.

‘It was our first game in our first ever season in this division, it was massive and gave us the feeling that we could compete.

‘On top of that we got such a lift from the manner in which we did it.’

Middlesbrough Team News:

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Davies, Taylor, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Morrison, Cattermole, Yakubu, Viduka, Downing, Jones, Hines, Parnaby, Euell, Arca, Christie, Lee.

Player to watch: Jonathan Woodgate

Middlesbrough are a different team with their new inspirational skipper plays, and Boro-born Woodgate provides real grit and determination at the back. With Woody player, Middlesbrough will be tough to break down and we won’t have as many chances as on the opening day.

Reading Team News:

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Sodje, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Lita, Long, Kitson, Federici, de la Cruz, Halford, Gunnarsson, Oster, Seol.

Player to watch: Michael Duberry

With both Ibrahima Sonko and Andre Bikey missing through injury and suspension respectively, Duberry is set to make his Royals first team debut. Hopefully his experience and ability with shine through, and he can form a good understanding with Ivar Ingimarsson.

Match Facts & Stats

MIDDLESBROUGH

12th – 32 points

Highest achievable after Saturday’s matches: 11th

Lowest could fall: 14th

READING

6th – 43 points

Highest achievable after Saturday’s matches: 6th

Lowest could fall: 6th

Ref Watch:

Mark Halsey (Lancashire) will take charge of this weekend’s game, having also refereed the fixture between the two teams on the season’s opening day.

Mr Halsey was recently at the centre of a stormy game against Sheffield United at Madejski Stadium, when he sent off Keith Gillespie for an unprovoked elbow on Stephen Hunt. He also sent Neil Warnock and Wally Downes to the stands after a touchline confrontation.

Match Prediction:

The fact that I’ve highlighted two defenders as either team’s key player, shows that I feel this will be a low-scoring contest. I’d love to say we could take a point, and I think that’s the most likely outcome, but Boro can be dangerous when they play to their strengths. I’ll go for a 0-0.