Reading v Coventry preview

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Last updated: 1st December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Reading v Coventry preview

Duberry: Set to start

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Reading aim to continue their pursuit of the Championship's top two with victory at home to Coventry City, live on Sky Sports 1.

Steve Coppell's side can close to within four points of second-placed Birmingham City by beating Coventry as they look to bounce back from defeat in their last home game.

The Royals' unbeaten record at the Madejski Stadium this season came to an end at the hands of Southampton over a week ago and Coppell will be seeking a response.

He will be pressed into a change as Andre Bikey starts a three-match suspension after being sent off in last week's 2-2 draw at Cardiff City.

Michael Duberry is due to make his first Championship start of the season in Bikey's absence, with Kalifa Cisse staying in a midfield role.

Captain Graeme Murty is closing in on a first-team return after playing for the reserves last week, while defender Sam Sodje remains doubtful with a knee injury.

Coventry news

Coventry boss Chris Coleman is keen for his strikers to start firing as the Sky Blues chase a third successive away win.

Clinton Morrison is Coleman's top scorer with four in the Championship, while Freddy Eastwood and Michael Mifsud have mustered just three between them.

The Sky Blues are set to be without defenders Stephen Wright and Isaac Osbourne for the game.

Wright went off with damage to his medial ligaments after just 33 minutes of their 1-1 draw at Swansea last time out and his replacement Osbourne only lasted 12 minutes after being forced off with an ankle problem.

Midfielder Jay Tabb was back in training on Friday after missing two games with a virus and Coleman revealed he is expected to be fit enough to make the squad.