Reading v Palace

Madejski Stadium, Tuesday 7.45pm

Action

Team news

Crystal Palace defender Paddy McCarthy is out for the long term after his recent shoulder operation. Left-back Lee Hills completes the final match of his three-game suspension.

Reading striker Shane Long is banned for the clash after his red card against Derby, while defender Chris Armstrong is close to full fitness after recovering from a knee problem.

Quotes

Brendan Rodgers

"We go into Palace, they'll want to bounce back but we're looking to do well at home and we've two home games in a week. We've been very good at home without getting results. We've set our targets and we are positive."

Dean Austin

"It's one of the games I always look forward to as I spent a large part of my career there. I’m sure it will be an exciting game, a Neil Warnock side will always be up for the fight and they’ve been going along well this season.

"I think when you have financial troubles at a club it does bring you closer as a group and people do tend to fight for one and another that little bit more. When the chips are down people come together and a that’s apparent at Palace."

Jay Tabb

"I think the Sheffield Wednesday win shows that we really have turned the corner. Palace have been on a good run of form, we’ve got a form table up in our changing room which we were fifth in for November and Palace were right up there as well.

"They had the setback against Donny, but they’ll be looking to bounce back and have some quality players. You have to be physical in this league and we’ve shown you can do that and still play football, we’re expecting a tough game."

Reading - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
19th	19	5	5	9	20

Full league table

Reading - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
6	3	1	2	9	6

Full form table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
21/03/2009	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Reading
30/08/2008	League	Reading	4 - 2	Crystal Palace
20/01/2006	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 1	Reading
13/09/2005	League	Reading	3 - 2	Crystal Palace
06/03/2004	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 2	Reading

All time results

Reading's top scorer

Grzegorz Rasiak - 5 goals

Reading's bad boy

Alex Pearce - 4 0

Palace old boys

Jobi McAnuff

Ref watch

K Friend

Last meeting

Palace 0-0 Reading

Saturday March 21 2009

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, Jose Fonte, Hill, Moses, Derry, Danns, Oster (Rui Fonte, 88), Kuqi, Stokes (Ifill, 81)

Subs not used: Carle, Hills, Ertl

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior (sent off 72),Bikey, Duberry, Armstrong, Doyle, Gunnarsson (Cisse, 50 ), Matejovsky (Long, 63), Harper, Kebe (Stephen Hunt, 18), Kitson

Subs not used: Federici, Little

Bookings: Doyle, Rosenior, Stephen Hunt