Adrian Mariappa is set for a rare start in place of Doyley while Will Hoskins will start in attack as he is Boothroyd's only fit striker.
Grzegorz Rasiak is facing at least another month out after breaking a bone in his shoulder and left-back Mat Sadler is out for a similar length of time with the knee injury he picked up in the Carling Cup win over Darlington.
Goalkeeper Richard Lee is still short of match fitness after picking up a knee injury in pre-season.
Reading manager Steve Coppell could have defender Ivar Ingimarsson back in his side as he aims for a first away win of the season at Watford.
Ingimarsson missed the 6-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night with a stomach upset but is expected to be fit to return at Vicarage Road.
However, after seeing replacement Andre Bikey cap his first start of the season with a goal against the Owls, the Icelander may have to make do with a place on the bench.
Unsurprisingly after such a big win Coppell is set to name an otherwise unchanged side. Kevin Doyle scored his second hat-trick in successive home games and will again be partnered by Noel Hunt, who rewarded Coppell's faith in him by marking his first league start with a brace.
Captain Graeme Murty has suffered another setback to his comeback from a calf injury and will not be fit until next month and midfielder Kalifa Cisse is out with his toe injury.
Czech Republic midfielder Marek Matejovsky is definitely out as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury and defender Michael Duberry remains a few weeks away from a return after a calf injury.
Sporting Life