Reading vs Aston Villa - Paul McShane to miss Reading's clash with Aston Villa

Posted Tuesday, October 18, 2016 by PA

Reading manager Jaap Stam will be without Paul McShane as he welcomes Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland international picked up a hamstring injury during the international break and, after missing the Royals' 1-1 draw with QPR, he is not expected to feature.

Joseph Mendes and Dominic Samuel are pushing for starts upfront as Yann Kermorgant struggles to get on the score sheet and Jordan Obita could start in defence after Tyler Blackett had a poor game on Saturday which saw him substituted on 66 minutes.

The Royals are unbeaten at the Madejski Stadium so far this season.

Aston Villa captain Tommy Elphick is a major doubt for the match after limping off with a calf injury against Wolves.

The defender came off late in the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw and Micah Richards is also a doubt having been replaced in the derby at Villa Park.

Alan Hutton and Nathan Baker stand by to replace the pair should they fail to make the trip to the Madejski Stadium.

Mile Jedinak could be benched after being substituted on 55 minutes at the weekend with new boss Steve Bruce admitting he made a mistake playing the midfielder after he featured for Australia during the international break.