After an opening day defeat to Scunthorpe, the Royals travel to Torquay with a depleted squad thanks to injuries and international call ups. Brian McDermott will hope a makeshift side can come through a tricky looking first round tie.
Vital Quotes:
Midfield maestro Jem Karacan –
‘I made my debut in the league cup so I always look forward to it when these games come around.’
Left back Marcus Williams –
‘All the boys were disappointed after Saturday, but it was my debut so I am looking towards Wednesdays game now.’
Torquay Team News:
The home side will have to do without striker Martin Gritton, who picked up a knock on Saturday, but have a ready made replacement in Billy Kee who will make his debut.
Paul Buckle has a fully fit squad to choose from other than that, and will name much the same side that beat Northampton.
Player to watch: Elliot Benyon
Striker has a fantastic scoring record in the lower leagues and conference. He will be the major threat to a makeshift Royals defence.
Reading Team News:
Brian McDermott will be without a whole host of players including Gylfi Sigurdsson, Adam Federici and Simon Church who are on international duty, and Jobi McAnuff, Matt Mills and Shane Long through injury.
Jem Karacan should be fit after hobbling off on Saturday against Scunthorpe, and youngsters Jordan Obita and Lawson D’Ath are in the squad.
Ben Hamer will be in goal, and Noel Hunt hopes to return from injury to start upfront.
Player to watch: Grzegorz Rasiak
Big striker has not seen much football under Brian McDermott, who has prefered one upfront. However as the only striker guaranteed to be available, he will start and needs to score some goals to stay in the team.
Last Meeting
Reading 6-1 Torquay, April 1992
Ref Watch:
Jonathan Moss will take charge of this fixture.
Match Prediction:
With so many players out, this is a potential banana skin. I am backing us to come through with a 2-0 win.
Next Fixture:
Saturday 14th August 2010, Portsmouth (A)
