Premier League: Everton and Reading hoping to return to winning ways

Last updated: 1st March 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Premier League: Everton and Reading hoping to return to winning ways

David Moyes: Has Everton in the hunt for European qualification

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Everton and Reading will be hoping to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they meet at Goodison Park.

Everton and Reading will be hoping to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they meet at Goodison Park.The Toffees will feel that they remain in the hunt for a top-four finish, but they must end the season strongly if they are to snatch a UEFA Champions League spot.

Back-to-back defeats have hindered their cause, with a run of one win in six undermining their efforts to return to European football's top table.

While hitting such a target may be beyond David Moyes' men, qualification for continental competition remains a realistic target.

Reading, meanwhile, will head to Goodison on Saturday with their attention locked on events at the opposite end of the table.

They may be only a point adrift of safety, but the Royals have come unstuck in their last two fixtures to slump to second-from-bottom in the standings.

A productive run is required if Brian McDermott's side are to preserve their top-flight status, and he will be looking to kick-start a survival bid on Merseyside.Marouane Fellaini could be welcomed back into the Everton side after sitting out a midweek FA Cup fifth round replay victory over Oldham Athletic.

Victor Anichebe is another pushing for a recall, but his fitness will be assessed closer to kick-off after sitting out the Toffees' last two fixtures through injury.

Tony Hibbert is the only long-term absentee, as he continues his rehabilitation from calf surgery.

Reading will be without suspended striker Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The Russian forward was sent off during last weekend's 3-0 home defeat against Wigan and will be missing for the Royals' next three games.

Veteran striker Jason Roberts (hip) is still absent and admitted during the week he has no idea when he will be fit enough to return. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (shoulder) also misses out.