Reading vs Blackpool preview - Royals duo back from injury

Reading have had some rare good news on the injury front with Glenn Murray and Danny Guthrie available to face Blackpool.

Striker Murray missed the 3-0 midweek defeat at Bournemouth with a hamstring problem and midfielder Guthrie has been sidelined by a calf injury.

The duo were joined by long-term crocks Garath McCleary (back), Danny Williams (knee) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) in a practice match on Thursday afternoon, although the latter three need more time to build up their match fitness.

Club captain Jem Karacan is also back in training after a cruciate injury but he is still some way from a return to action.

Captain Tony McMahon, who has been an ever-present in Blackpool's campaign thus far, will be suspended for the trip.

The full-back has accrued five cautions in his past six games to trigger an automatic one-game ban and rule him out of a side who have only picked up two points from a possible 18 on the road.

There is no respite on the injury front for boss Jose Riga either, with neither midfielder Jose Miguel Cubero or full-back Joan Oriol (both ankle) ready to return just yet.

Defender Gary MacKenzie (knee) and striker Steven Davies (groin) have long-term problems and neither has appeared since August.