Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Reading

A frustrating run of form for Reading can come to an end when they make the trip to the Macron Stadium on Tuesday night to meet Bolton Wanderers.

Four losses out five Championship games to finish February has seen Steve Clarke's side fail to make progress in recent weeks, despite recording a shock 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on the third weekend of the month.

The Royals became the latest victim of Nottingham Forest's resurgence on Saturday as Dougie Freedman's men eased to a comfortable 3-0 win at the Madejski Stadium.

That loss made it seven unanswered goals in Reading's last three home games, and Clarke may be relieved to be heading back on the road as he looks to produce a reaction from his squad.

The form of the teams struggling in the relegation zone means Reading are still nine points clear of the bottom three, but Clarke will be keen for a return to form ahead of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final.

However, Bolton are likely to provide a stern test after Zach Clough ended a run of three straight defeats by scoring the winner in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Neil Lennon's side are now on 40 points, level with Reading, but the Northern Irishman will be urging his players to look further up the table as they attempt to put pressure on the teams in the top half of the Championship.

Eidur Gudjohnsen is pushing for a recall to the starting lineup for the Trotters, while Liam Feeney is a doubt after picking up a knock against Brighton.

Reading boss Clarke could be tempted to rest players ahead of their FA Cup commitments, but Jamie Mackie is in contention to return after missing out against Forest due to the terms of his loan deal.

Bolton:

Recent form: LWLLLW

Possible starting lineup: Amos, Vela, Wheater, Mills, Ream, McNaughton, Danns, Clough, Bannan, Heskey, Gudjohnsen

Reading:

Form in Championship: WLLWLL Form in all competitions: LWLWLL

Possible starting lineup: Federici, Gunter, Hector, Pearce, Obita, McCleary, Norwood, Guthrie, Robson-Kanu, Yakubu, Mackie

Sports Mole says: 1-1