Sunderland vs Reading - Match Preview

Sunderland take on Reading this afternoon with fans at the Stadium of Light likely to be buzzing over the securing of two big new signings yesterday.

By Matt Holmes /

reported by Goal.com to be worth at least £20 million combined. 25-year-old forward Fletcher could make his Wearside debut today, though the availability of Adam Johnson is less clear as his deal wasn't confirmed until late last night. Definitely missing for Sunderland are defender Phil Bardsley (ankle) and midfielder David Vaughn (ankle) who miss out through injury. Wes Brown (knee ligaments) has an outside chance of making the bench. For Reading, boss Brian McDermott has no fresh injury doubts following the club's midweek 4-2 thriller at Stamfrod Bridge. Still missing for them are Jem Karacan (broken ankle), Jimmy Kebe (hamstring), though veteran 34-year-old striker Jason Roberts could be involved from the start as he makes his way back to match fitness. Kick-off time is at 3pm and the match won't be screened live on television in the UK. Line-ups from; Sunderland (from): Westwood, Mignolet, Cattermole, Larsson, Gardner, Campbell, Wickham, Richardson, Kilgallon, Colback, O'Shea, Ji, Meyler, Bramble, McClean, Elmohamady, Saha, Cuellar, Fletcher, Sessegnon. Reading (from): Federici, Taylor, Gunter, Cummings, Gorkss, Pearce, Mariappa, Shorey, Harte, McAnuff, Guthrie, Leigertwood, Tabb, McCleary, Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre, Roberts, Hunt, Robson-Kanu, Church, McCarthy. source - BBC Sport

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