Reading vs Wigan Athletic preview - Yakubu may land Royals start

Posted Monday, February 16, 2015 by PA

Reading boss Steve Clarke could hand Yakubu his first start in the home game against Wigan after the veteran striker scored the winner at the weekend.

Yakubu stepped off the bench in Saturday's 2-1 win at Derby to fire the Royals into the last eight of the FA Cup, while Clarke must also decide whether to recall Garath McCleary, Nick Blackman and Oliver Norwood.

Those three made way at the weekend for Simon Cox, Hal Robson-Kanu and Jamie Mackie, who may all have done enough to retain their places.

Full-back Chris Gunter is edging closer to a return following an ankle injury, but midfielder Jem Karacan (knee) and Anton Ferdinand (calf) are still out.

Leon Barnett has added to Wigan's injury worries.

The defender sustained a knock in the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last week, meaning former Leeds captain Jason Pearce and Hull loanee Harry Maguire are likely to partner each other in central defence after Liam Ridgewell's loan deal ran out.

Chris McCann's hamstring problem could keep him out for another 10 days while Emyr Huws (ankle) and Grant Holt (knee) are long-term absentees.

Youth-team players Louis Robles, Jordan Flores and Joey Johnson are all making the trip and one or more could make the bench.