Duo absent for Royals

Reading will be without Andy Griffin and Jay Tabb for the Carling Cup visit of Northampton. Right-back Griffin lasted just nine minutes of Saturday`s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest before limping out with a hamstring strain and he will miss out. Midfielder Tabb will have an operation on his ankle this week and will be ruled out for six weeks but striker Noel Hunt will make his first start in 10 months as he builds up fitness from knee and ankle injuries. Julian Kelly is still out with a shoulder injury so midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson could be asked to fill in at full-back against the League Two side - though out-of-favour Shaun Cummings is another option. Ben Hamer will start in goal as manager Brian McDermott rotates his squad with the likes of Michail Antonio, Simon Church, Hal Robson-Kanu, Jake Taylor, Nicholas Bignall and Scott Davies also hoping to feature.

Source: PA

Source: PA