Reading vs Charlton Athletic preview - Royals wait on duo

Posted Friday, November 07, 2014 by PA

Reading will check on Anton Ferdinand and Pavel Pogrebnyak ahead of the visit of Charlton.

Defender Ferdinand, who suffered a hamstring injury shortly after joining the Royals, finally made his debut against Rotherham in midweek but lasted just 45 minutes before feeling a pain in his calf.

Striker Pogrebnyak missed the 3-0 win with a slight back problem, but boss Nigel Adkins is hopeful both he and Ferdinand will be available.

Winger Garath McCleary has an outside chance of making the squad for the first time this season following summer back surgery but Danny Guthrie (calf), Jem Karacan, Shaun Cummings and Craig Tanner (all knee) remain on the sidelines.

Charlton will be without defender Rhoys Wiggins after he fractured a bone in his foot at Leeds on Tuesday which will sideline him for six weeks.

Morgan Fox could step in at left-back although boss Bob Peeters may instead opt to play Chris Solly, who was rested in midweek, there while keeping Lawrie Wilson at right-back.

Youngster Joe Gomez could also fill one of the full-back berths after recovering from an ankle injury.

Midfielder Frederic Bulot is set to miss out again with a hamstring problem, although he should be back after the international break, while striker Simon Church is still recovering from a shoulder injury.