TEAM NEWS

The Royals have midfield dynamo Steve Sidwell out due to suspension and  up front Les Ferdinand and Dave Kitson remain injured.

Should Coppell decide to revert to the more conventional 4-4-2 approach then Lloyd Owusu should partner Nicky Forster. However, Coppell left Dean Morgan out of the squad for the Swansea game earlier this week having just recovered from injury so he could conceivably feature in his plans for this weekend.

Andy Hughes should move to the centre of midfield to partner James Harper due to Sidwell's forced absence. The back 5 should remain unchanged with Bobby Convey and Glen Little looking good bets to be starting on the wings.

This would leave Paul Brooker, Dean Morgan and Ricky Newman on the bench plus one from Shaun Goater, Bas Savage and youngster Simeon Howell. Jamie Young will continue as substitute keeper despite the arrival of Adam Federici on deal to the end of the season.

Another possibility is that Coppell will put Forster up front on his own and pack the midfield with Harper and Hughes being joined by Newman or Morgan depending on whether it is an attacking or defensive line-up that he is seeking.

Ipswich look likely to go for a straight 4-4-2 with Bent and Kuqi up front. However Joe Royle does have a couple of minor issues to deal with. Pablo Counago wants out but has rejected a move to Cordoba and Drissa Diallo is still out with a long term injury. Jim Magilton has a hamstring problem and is a doubt for the Tractor Boys, as is Richard Naylor who would make his 250th appearance for them if he features in the game against Reading.

Royle does have some good news though as he prepares to take on the Royals - Arsenal's Danny Karbassiyoon has been given an extension to his loan deal and Monaco's Jimmy Juan has also joined Ipswich on a loan. Ian Westlake returns from suspension this weekend.

Ipswich Town Key Player - Shefki Kuqi

FORM GUIDE

Reading haven't been very impressive over the last few weeks and will look to make amends in front of the large number of home fans expected tomorrow. They edged through the FA Cup Third Round on Monday night making use of several minutes of extra time to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

This goal, however, could be a  good sign for the Royals and could put Nicky Forster back in to gear - his last goal before Swansea being an absolute stormer against Preston at home. Without Les Ferdinand and Dave Kitson  the pressure is on Forster to get the goals to lead Reading up the table and close the gap on leaders Ipswich.

Ipswich have conceded eight goals in their last four outings, but they will always score some goals and got six in reply. Ipswich certainly haven't had it all their own way recently - they've lost three games in the last seven games. Joe Royle will be looking to get a good run together to increase the gap between themselves and the chasing pack.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Ipswich 1:1 Reading - 28/09/04
Reading 1:1 Ipswich - 10/01/04
Ipswich 1:1 Reading - 09/08/03
Ipswich 3:1 Reading - 18/03/03
Reading 3:1 Ipswich - 19/10/02
Ipswich 1:0 Reading - 28/03/98

OTHER INFORMATION

Only a couple of hundred tickets are left for Reading supporters only.

Ipswich have sold out all 4,000 tickets for the away end. Away supporters who turn up on the day without a ticket will be unable to purchase one in the Reading end. Reading supporters, make sure to buy tickets before travelling to the stadium to avoid disappointment and a wasted journey.

Please Click Here for the ticket information regarding this game

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