Reading V Leicester - The Match Preview

The Walker's Stadium: The new home of the Foxes

Despite missing several first team players through injury the Foxes are still an excellent side and one of the favourites for promotion. The Royals will have to be at their very best if they are to get anything out of the game.

A large crowd is expected at the Walker's Stadium for what is only Leicester's second competitive game at their new stadium after vacating Filbert Street at the end of last season.

Neither side's preparation for the match has been ideal; Reading last Saturday went down 2-1 at home to Coventry City after leading for a long time whilst the Foxes received a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Ipswich.

John Mackie is likely to partner Adie Williams again at the back, although Viveash could be on the bench. With only three centre-backs at the Alan Pardew is looking to make a signing before transfer deadline day.

He told readingfc.co.uk: "We're short at the back so I'm having a look for some available players. We'll just have to wait and see (what develops)."

Pards also revealed that Sammy Igoe is unlikely to be fit to play. He continued: "Sammy didn't train on Friday and it is doubtful whether he will play against Leicester."

Igoe's place on the right-wing is likely to be taken by Andy Hughes who played in the centre against Coventry. In the centre either Phil Parkinson or James Harper are likely to come into the team.

Otherwise the Royals are likely to field an unchanged team. Nicky Forster will be on the bench again, hoping to get more than the twenty minutes he got last week as he steps up his recovery from a viral infection.

There will be no place at all for Darius Henderson, he picked up an ankle injury during Tuesday's reserve game.

Piper was transferred to Sunderland in midweek

Leicester boss Micky Adams' meanwhile has a selection headache on his hands. No fewer than nine of his players could be missing through injury. In addition to this the club were forced to sell Matthew Piper to Sunderland during the week.

Gerry Taggart (groin), Muzzy Izzet (calf) and Nicky Summerbee (hamstring) all limped out of last week's defeat at Portman Road and will play no part in tomorrow's game.

Billy McKinley and Andy Impey are both rated as doubtful but could feature at some stage. In addition, Darren Eadie and Matthew Jones will not play, they are both out with long term injuries.

Predicted Reading Line-Up: Whitehead, Shorey, Mackie, Williams, Murty, Salako, Watson, Parkinson (c), Hughes, Butler, Cureton

Reading Mad Predicts: A scrappy 1-1 draw for the Royals.