Well, it was annoying in midweek. The under-21s team did well against Bristol Rovers, but a loss is a loss.
Now moving onto the weekend. Reading potentially have nine players unavailable this weekend: Lewis Wing, Paddy Lane, George Earthy, Paudie O’Connor, Jeriel Dorsett, Andy Rinomhota, Benn Ward, Josh Knight and Jacob Brown.
Seven of them, if fully fit, would start for us this weekend. This is a major problem. At least Jack Marriott isn’t injured.
Stockport County have begun really well this campaign,
like they do every time, finding themselves in second place, only behind Huddersfield Town by three points. Captain Ollie Norwood has been the rock in midfield as he usually is, and Kyle Wootton, actually playing up front again, is dangerous.
These two also drew each other in the FA Cup, so that will be another interesting game.
The last game between the two sides actually finished in a rare 1-0 win for Reading. Wing got the winner in the 89th minute.
Round 15 of League One sees Edgeley Park host the Royals for the first time this season. There are 10,852 seats, so fill the stadium!
It’s available on Sky Sports+ due to it being the international break. Robert Madley will be taking charge of this one. He averages 4.3 yellow cards and 21.7 fouls per match and usually referees Championship matches.
In this preview I will look at the impact of the injuries Reading have, how long they’re out for and who will need to step up in the meantime, and I will give my predictions.
Absences
Last season it really felt like I would do one of these every other game with the amount of injuries we had.
Let’s look at who’s unavailable.
All of this information is thanks to RFC Latest on Twitter.
Jacob Brown is having discomfort with his ribs so won’t be in the squad.
Jeriel Dorsett and Andy Rinomhota had both been called up for their international teams (Montseratt and Zimbabwe). It was later confirmed though that Dorsett wasn’t included in the national squad, though he may have picked up a knock.
Paudie O’Connor is suspended (surprise).
Josh Knight picked up a knock on Saturday, which hopefully shouldn’t be a long-term thing.
Lewis Wing has been carrying a couple of knocks so a rest will be needed.
George Earthy is still returning from injury – I very much doubt he’s fit yet.
Paddy Lane will be out for a number of weeks.
It is apparently too early to get Benn Ward out on the pitch.
This is not good. That’s potentially our starting two centre-backs, our two starting defensive midfielders, our starting attacking midfielder and one starting winger all out for this game. We’re screwed.
Now to look at who’s there to replace them.
My predictions
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
It’s likely that our starting two centre-backs will be Conor Masterson and Udoka Godwin-Malife, with Ashqar Ahmed covering at right-back. Haydon Roberts will complete the defence
Charlie Savage and Liam Fraser will come in for Wing and Rinomhota.
Josh Stokes will be Earthy’s replacement, as he has been for the past few weeks.
I see Daniel Kyerewaa still deputising for Lane. He gives something a little different to what Lane does, very similar to Kyreece Lisbie, who’ll start on the right.
Jack Marriott will be the lone striker.
Everyone mentioned needs to step up and prove they deserve to be in the squad. Leam Richardson needs a selection headache when everyone is back fit.
Score prediction: 0-0
Good luck to those going to the game.
Come on you Royals!
