Reading boss Brendan Rodgers is without the suspended Andre Bikey for the visit of new-look Nottingham Forest.
New look Forest travel to the Madejski for Rodgers' first game
New Reading boss Brendan Rodgers is without the suspended Andre Bikey for the visit of a new-look Nottingham Forest side.
Cameroon international Bikey was sent off in the Royals' first leg play-off defeat to Burnley last season and will miss the second of his five-match suspension.
New signing Matt Mills is expected to be handed an immediate debut following his arrival from Doncaster on Wednesday, with centre-half Ivar Ingimarsson (knee) still sidelined.
Alex Pearce is expected to partner Mills at the heart of defence while another new-boy, Ryan Bertrand, could make his debut at left back after his arrival on loan from Chelsea.
Injury (groin) continues to disrupt Stephen Hunt's hopes of securing a move to the Premier League before the end of the month and he will miss out on Reading's opening fixture.
However, brother Noel is available after four months out with a broken foot and is expected to start.
Midfielder James Harper is in line to feature after recovering from a groin problem and staking his claim for a place following his involvement against Chelsea in Saturday's friendly.
Youngsters Hal Robson-Kanu and Scott Davies are also hopeful of appearing after impressing Rodgers during pre-season.
Forest News
Forest boss Billy Davies has been busy in the transfer market this summer and is expected to include the majority of his nine summer signings at the Madejski Stadium.
Lee Camp will start in goal with Chris Gunter in front of him in the defence while new captain Paul McKenna and Paul Anderson will line up in midfield.
Davies has a selection headache up front with five fit strikers as Dele Adebola, Dexter Blackstock, David McGoldrick, Robert Earnshaw and Nathan Tyson all contest for the striking positions.
Forest's only long-term injury is James Perch, who faces 3 months on the sidelines with a broken bone in his shin, while defender Julian Bennett (knee) and midfielder Guy Moussi (thigh) will not be fit in time to face the Royals.
Loan midfielder Radoslaw Majewski is likely to start on the Forest bench as both sides look to make an early impression on the Championship season.
