Reading v Southampton preview

Pearce: Ineligible to play

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• Reading
• Southampton

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Reading take on Southampton at the Madejski Stadium aiming to maintain their unbeaten home start to the campaign.

Steve Coppell's side have won seven and drawn once in their eight games at home to sit in third place in the Championship, just a point off the automatic promotion berths.

In contrast, struggling Southampton sit in 21st place in the table, just a point outside the relegation zone.

Latest form saw Reading win their last game - an excellent 2-0 away win over promotion rivals Sheffield Utd - while the Saints lost 2-1 at home to leaders Wolves.

But on a more positive note, Jan Poortvliet's side have won three games on their league travels this term.

Royals news

Reading boss Coppell is set to again name an unchanged side for this game.

Defender Andre Bikey did not travel to play for Cameroon this week after a slight knock but is expected to be fit to continue his partnership alongside Ivar Ingimarsson.

Michael Duberry is fit again after a calf injury but will again miss out while midfielder Marek Matejovsky is also fit after his ankle problem and will again be on the bench.

Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Stephen and Noel Hunt all played in the Republic of Ireland's 3-2 defeat at home to Poland with Noel making his debut and elder brother Stephen scoring his first goal for his country.

All four came through the game unscathed but fellow countryman Dave Mooney remains sidelined with his ankle injury.

Captain Graeme Murty returned to full training this week after his calf injury but is a long way short of match fitness while centre-back Sam Sodje is out with a knee injury.

Saints news

Alex Pearce and Jason Euell are ruled out for the game as on-loan centre-half Pearce is ineligible to play against his parent club, while midfielder Euell begins a three-game ban following his red card against Wolves last week.

Club captain Michael Svensson played for the reserves in midweek to prove his fitness following his latest knee problem and should slot in at the back for his first appearance since late September.

Midfielder Romain Gasmi is close to making his Saints debut after another reserve appearance following his broken foot, while Anthony Pulis (foot) was also involved in midweek but is well short of match fitness.

Defender Wayne Thomas and winger Lee Holmes (both knee) remain on the sidelines.