Reading begin their 2010/11 Championship season with a meeting against Scunthorpe United.
Williams to face former club; fitness worry over Byrne
Reading begin their 2010/11 Championship season with a meeting against Scunthorpe United at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals finished ninth last campaign and will be hopeful of achieving a play-off berth this time around.
Scunthorpe, meanwhile, will be eager to avoid a repeat of their previous term after flirting with relegation.
Reading will hand a debut to defender Marcus Williams as they face his former club Scunthorpe.
Williams left the Iron to join the Royals on a free transfer this summer and will start at left-back for Brian McDermott's men as they look to start their Championship season with a win.
Winger Jimmy Kebe was a revelation after Christmas last season but is a doubt to play with a groin problem, while Noel Hunt may have to wait to make his first-team return.
Hunt missed most of last season with a knee injury and is now struggling with an ankle knock - but fellow Republic of Ireland international Shane Long is fine after a head injury.
Grzegorz Rasiak is back from a rib injury but Julian Kelly (groin), Ivar Ingimarsson (hamstring) and Chris Armstrong (knee) remain out.
Iron team news
Scunthorpe skipper Cliff Byrne could miss the Championship opener against Reading.
Byrne is troubled by a hip injury which has forced him to sit out the last two pre-season friendly matches and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Fellow full-back and summer signing Eddie Nolan is also doubtful with an ankle injury but centre-back Rob Jones looks set to feature after shaking off a groin strain.
Should Byrne be ruled out, boss Nigel Adkins said he may call on Andrew Wright or Michael Raynes to deputise.
Trialist Trent McClenaham is also in contention, with the terms of his trial allowing him to play, while summer signings Bobby Grant, Chris Dagnall and Michael Collins are in line to make their debuts.
