Nottingham Forest vs ReadingFriday, 29 November 2013City Ground, NottinghamKick-off: 19:45 GMTReferee: Stuart Attwell Reading travel to Nottingham Forest on Friday knowing a win would take them above their opponents and into the SkyBet Championship playoff places ahead of the weekend's fixtures. The Royals come to the City Ground without a win in four matches and an away record of just two points from their last 12, however. Nigel Adkins's outfit have only gone back to Berkshire with all three points from one of their last five visits to Nottingham. Hosts Forest meanwhile can temporarily climb a place to fourth with a point or better. Billy Davies's side are buoyed by a recent victory at East Midlands rivals Leicester City and a battling draw with table toppers Burnley last time out.
Team News
Forest captain Chris Cohen is out for the rest of the season after
damaging his cruciate knee ligament last weekend. He joins defenders Danny Collins and Kelvin Wilson on the treatment table. Midfielders Andy Reid and David Vaughan join utility man Greg Halford and fullback Eric Lichaj in being doubts for this game. Davies must decide whether to gamble on their fitness. He has also allowed out of favour strikers Marcus Tudgay and Ishmael Miller to join
Barnsley and
Yeovil Town on loan respectively. Reading meanwhile are missing skipper Sean Morrison and Jem Karacan from their spine. Experienced players Wayne Bridge and Jason Roberts remain sidelined, but winger Royston Drenthe and midfielder Mikele Leigertwood face late fitness tests.
Danny Williams may regain his place after returning to action as a sub in the goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers. Wales fullback Chris Gunter will face his former club. Compatriot Hal Robson-Kanu may return after not being named in the matchday squad last time out. Sources:
BBC,
NFFC and RFC official websites.
Likely Line-Ups
Forest: 1 Karl Darlow, 2 Eric Lichaj/18 Gonzalo Jara, 25 Jack Hobbs, 16 Jamaal Lascelles, 3 Dan Harding, 7 Nathaniel Chalobah, 10 Henri Lansbury, 24 David Vaughan/11 Andy Reid, 28 Radoslaw Majewski, 12 Jamie Mackie, 31 Simon Cox
Reading: 21 Alex McCarthy, 2 Chris Gunter, 17 Kaspars Gorkss, 5 Alex Pearce, 3 Stephen Kelly, 20 Danny Guthrie, 6 Chris Baird, 23 Danny Williams, 12 Garath McCleary, 7 Pavel Pogrebnyak, 19 Hal Robson-Kanu/37 Jordan Obita