Middlesbrough youngster Rhys Williams has been a regular in the position since joining the Clarets on a three-month loan deal at the end of January.
But he has returned to the Riverside Stadium to rejoin Boro's relegation fight after his loan expired after Sunday's final league match of the season against Bristol City.
Football Association rules prevent any extension of short-term loans beyond the 93-day maximum and Coyle looks set to choose between Michael Duff and Graham Alexander for the vacant berth.
Centre-back Clarke Carlisle and midfielder Wade Elliott were withdrawn in the second half of last weekend's victory due to calf strains, but both men hope to be fit.
Reading manager Steve Coppell could have winger Glen Little back in his squad.
The former Clarets winger missed last weekend's defeat to Birmingham with a hamstring injury, but is back in training and could return at Turf Moor.
Striker Kevin Doyle is back to full fitness after nursing a knee injury for the last 10 weeks and could start in place of Dave Kitson.
Leroy Lita - who hasn't featured since February - is also back in training after an operation on his ankle and could travel, but James Harper (groin) remains sidelined.
Another striker, Noel Hunt, is definitely out as he recovers from a fractured bone in his foot while left-back Chris Armstrong is out with a knee injury.
That will see Dan Harding continue to deputise and the on-loan Ipswich man should be back to 100% after playing against Birmingham with tonsilitis. Ivar Ingimarsson (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Sporting Life