Reading v Palace preview

Eagles look to soar at Madejski

Last updated: 29th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Reading v Palace preview

Coppell: Tough fixture

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Reading will be hoping to build on their cup success, while Crystal Palace seek a much-needed win.

The Royals have yet to settle following their relegation from the Premier League last season, but enjoyed a comprehensive 5-1 rout over hapless League Two side Luton in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Palace were tipped to be among the promotion hopefuls this year but have yet to win, or score, in their opening three fixtures.

Duberry missing

Reading manager Steve Coppell will be without defender Michael Duberry for the visit of the Eagles on Saturday.

The former Stoke and Chelsea defender suffered a fresh calf injury in the midweek win over Luton and will be out for a month.

Centre-half Ibrahima Sonko is on the verge of a move to Stoke but Coppell will revert to his first-choice line-up after seeing his youth team do him proud against the Hatters.

Chris Armstrong is set for a debut at left-back following his £800,000 move from Sheffield United so Stephen Hunt will push forward into the left-wing role he occupied last season.

Younger brother Noel is pushing for a start in attack after a brace against Luton but captain Graeme Murty (calf), Marek Matejovsky (ankle), Brynjar Gunnarsson (knee) and Sam Sodje (knee) are all still out.

Duo return

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock welcomes two experienced stars back in to his squad for the trip to Madejski Stadium.

Midfielder Shaun Derry and forward James Scowcroft both return from the one-match bans which ruled them out of the Eagles' 4-0 Carling Cup defeat to Leeds.

Argentinian keeper Julian Speroni returns between the sticks, but Sean Scannell (back) and Neil Danns (groin) are injury doubts.