Reading vs Middlesbrough preview - Jem ready to sparkle

Posted Friday, January 09, 2015 by PA

Reading captain Jem Karacan could make his first appearance in 16 months against Middlesbrough.

The midfielder has been sidelined since September 2013 due to a knee injury but was on the bench for last weekend's FA Cup win over Huddersfield and then played for the club's under-21s in midweek.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici should return after he was rested against the Terriers with Mikkel Andersen getting a run-out.

Pavel Pogrebnyak, Anton Ferdinand (both calf) and Hope Akpan (shoulder) are set to miss out again.

Middlesbrough will be without four right-backs in Berkshire.

Ryan Fredericks (thigh), Emilio Nsue (international duty), Damia Abella (knee) and Rhys Williams (Achilles) are all unavailable and with the paperwork on Tomas Kalas' loan move still pending it could mean Dean Whitehead is forced to play in the full-back position.

Adam Clayton is suspended so Milos Veljkovic is expected to play alongside Grant Leadbitter in the Boro midfield.

Midfielder Muzzy Carayol is progressing rapidly after a lengthy absence with a knee problem, but defender Damia Abella, who has a similar injury, is still out.