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CARDIFF, WALES - JANUARY 02: Freddie Sears (R) of  Colchester is chased by Declan John of Cardiff during the FA Cup Third Round match between  Cardiff City
Image: Declan John (l): Laid low by a sickness bug

Cardiff must wait on Declan John before finalising their squad for Reading's Sky Bet Championship visit.

The Wales defender has been laid low by a sickness bug this week.

Bruno Ecuele Manga and Kadeem Harris will compete for a starting spot if John fails to recover in time.

Stuart O'Keefe is already back in light training after breaking his arm two weeks ago, but Aron Gunnarsson is set to continue in midfield despite being linked with a move away before the end of the transfer window.

Reading expect to be without Deniss Rakels for several months after the Latvia striker sustained a suspected fractured ankle in Tuesday's EFL Cup win over MK Dons.

In the same match defender Jake Cooper and midfielder Liam Kelly suffered a nasty clash of heads. Cooper is likely to miss the Cardiff match but Kelly should be fit.

Midfielder Joey van den Berg is available after missing the MK Dons match through suspension.

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Defender Tyler Blackett is in line for a debut after joining from Manchester United at the start of the week.

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