Team news: Reading vs Derby

Vital Reading takes a look at some team news, ahead of tomorrow’s tough home game against Derby County.

The situation of injury-stricken Danny Guthrie is unknown, after he was ruled out of the trip to Brentford last week, due to a hamstring injury. Hope Akpan played for Nigeria on Wednesday, so should be fit, but only returned to the UK yesterday, so may not be risked.

Skipper Jem Karacan is edging closer to a return and could even be playing for the under 21s at the end of the month. The long-term injury problems remain Garath McCleary, Shaun Cummings and Danny Williams, while Craig Tanner is still a few weeks away.

Derby received a big boost during the week, as captain Richard Keogh appears fit to play, after recovering from a hamstring problem. Defender Jake Buxton could return to the 18-man squad too, with George Thorne remaining the only long-term absentee for the Rams.