Early FA Cup team news

Last updated : 23 January 2010 By Angus Muller

The trio have been sidelined with injuries since September but made their comebacks in a reserve game on Tuesday and should all be available for selection.

Steven Fletcher had to come off with a knock to his ankle in last week's defeat at Manchester United but should feature and Clarke Carlisle has returned to training after overcoming a side strain.

Club captain Steven Caldwell will miss out again though after suffering a setback in his recovery from a groin problem, while David Nugent is ineligible for FA Cup matches under the terms of his current loan deal from Portsmouth and Andre Bikey is still with Cameroon at the African Nations Cup.

Reading are hopeful of having top-scorer Gylfi Sigurdsson available.

The Icelandic midfielder - who scored a last-minute penalty at Anfield in the third-round replay win at Liverpool - missed the 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend with a foot injury.

The 20-year-old has scored eight times this season and is hopeful of being fit as the Royals look to avenge last season's play-off defeat to the Clarets.

Defender Matt Mills picked up his fifth booking of the season against Forest but will be available after the cut-off date for suspensions expired.

New signings Andy Griffin and Gunnar Thorvaldsson both made their debuts at the City Ground and will remain in contention.

Noel Hunt and Chris Armstrong (both knee) and Julian Kelly (shoulder) remain sidelined for Brian McDermott's side.

Burnley (from): Jensen, Carlisle, Edgar, Eagles, Alexander, Elliott, McDonald, Fletcher, Duff, Blake, Thompson, Penny, Guerrero, Gudjonsson, Kalvenes, Eckersley, Rodriguez, McCann, Paterson.

Sporting Life