Reading V Gillingham - Match Preview

Last updated : 08 November 2002 By Rob Cooper
Marlon King (centre) could feature in tomorrow's game
Marlon King (centre) could feature in tomorrow's game
Alan Pardew's side face a tough task to beat the side that set the early season pace in Division One.

Andy Hessenthaler's side are hard to break down on their home patch but with 1300 Royals fans in attendance and the team in top form hopes are high that they can chalk up another victory.

A victory could quite conceivably lift Reading up into the play-off positions ahead of their crunch clash with Sheffield United next weekend.

Alan Pardew has no new injuries going into tomorrows game.

Anthony Rougier has recovered from a toe injury and could return to the side after missing the last two matches. However, with James Harper in fine form he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

John Salako could return to the starting line-up at the expense of Nathan Tyson. Tys didn't do enough to convince fans that he is worthy of a regular place in the first eleven when making his first start for the Royals last week.

Otherwise Reading will remain unchanged. Long-term injury victims Darius Henderson, Adie Whitbread and Bas Savage (all knee) will of course miss the game.

Defensive duo Barry Ashby and Nyron Nosworthy are doubts for Gillingham after picking up knocks in midweek. Ashby is just returning from injury and after playing on Wednesday may be forced to miss tomorrows game.

Nosworthy meanwhile has picked up a groin strain but may well play through the pain. Rod Wallace and Roland Edge haven't yet recovered from injuries so will have to sit the game out.

Marlon King isn't expected to return to the starting line-up but maybe called upon in attempt to get his side out of jail if they find themselves behind in the encounter.

The 21-year-old only recently completed a six month prison sentence for handling a stolen car and isn't yet fully match fit.

Predicted Reading Line-Up: Hahnemann, Murty, Willimas, Upson, Shorey, Harper, Watson, Hughes, Newman, Salako, Forster