Reading vs Hull City - Clement in bid to end pointless home start

Posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 by PA

Reading boss Paul Clement could shuffle his pack as he attempts to end the club’s worst home start to a league campaign against Hull.

The Royals have lost all four of their league games to date at the Madejski Stadium, prompting Clement to question his players’ passion in the wake of Wednesday night’s 2-1 reverse at the hands of Norwich.

On-loan Rostov midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi was an unused substitute in midweek after resolving his visa issues and will hope for a debut.

Clement fielded an unchanged side against the Canaries with Adrian Popa (ankle), Dave Edwards (knee), Jordan Obita and Gareth McCleary all missing.

Hull midfielder Daniel Batty is a doubt for the trip to the Madejski as he recovers from a knee injury.

The midfielder limped out of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Ipswich and missed the midweek defeat at Wigan, and while head coach Nigel Adkins has revealed there is no lasting damage, Batty is struggling for the weekend.

Adkins made five changes for Tuesday night’s game with Eric Lichaj, Jackson Irvine, Kevin Stewart, Chris Martin and Nouha Dicko returning to the starting line-up, and the Tigers picked up no fresh injury problems.

Stephen Kingsley shook off a rib injury to retain his place in the team, while United States international Lichaj returned after his late arrival back from international duty.