Reading vs Nottingham Forest - Chris Gunter among returning Royals for Forest clash

Jaap Stam is likely to make a number of changes to his Reading side when Nottingham Forest visit the Madejski Stadium for their Championship clash on Saturday.

The Royals boss made five alterations for Tuesday night's EFL Cup defeat at Arsenal but could hand recalls to the quintet who dropped out of the side at the Emirates Stadium.

That means the likes of Chris Gunter, Roy Beerens, John Swift, Yann Kermorgant and Daniel Williams will all be hopeful of starting. Gunter was suspended against Arsenal after a fifth booking of the season.

Paul McShane could also be involved having scored the winner off the bench in Reading's last league outing against Doncaster, after recently overcoming a hamstring injury.

Injury and suspension looks like seeing Forest travel without nine first-team players.

Thomas Lam and Hildeberto Pereira are banned while Jack Hobbs, Michael Mancienne (illness), Daniel Pinillos (knee), David Vaughan (rib), Nicklas Bendtner (ankle), Mustapha Carayol and Matt Cash are all likely to miss the game through injury.

Reds boss Philippe Montanier thinks Vaughan and Mancienne may have a slight chance of being involved but still considers them both major doubts.

One plus for the Frenchman sees the return from suspension of defender Matt Mills.