Igoe, who signed a new one-year contract in the summer, has been nursing a tender stomach since the back end of last season - earlier this week he admitted that he is in a lot of pain for a couple of days after a training session.
Nicky Forster looks set to sit out of the game because of a viral infection. Fellow striker Bas Savage recently learnt that a knee injury will keep him out for most of the season so boss Alan Pardew was understandably delighted that little Sammy is fit to play.
Looking ahead to the season Igoe told Reading World: "I don't know what people are expecting from us in the First Division but we feel we can do really well.
"Playing in the Second Division you don't get many big crowds but now we are playing at a higher level its big crowds and big stadiums every week - these are exciting times.
"We have to concentrate on what we are doing at Derby tomorrow but I really do feel that we can get a result."