Preview: Reading vs. Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers will be hoping to increase the gap between themselves and the relegation zone when they travel to Reading in the Championship this weekend.

The Trotters' form has improved under new manager Neil Lennon, with the team losing just once in their last six outings.

Last weekend's 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town has left the side 18th in the table, just three points outside the drop zone.

Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is available again after coming through 90 minutes with the Under-21s earlier this week, along with David Wheater who has recovered from a back injury.

However, Kevin McNaughton will not make the trip as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Mark Davies and Marc Tierney remain long-term absentees.

Meanwhile, Reading are looking for their second straight win, after a Jake Cooper brace gave the Royals a 2-1 win over Norwich City last weekend.

Sitting 14th in the table, Nigel Adkins's side will be particularly keen to avoid a loss, as Bolton could jump above them with a victory at the Madejski Stadium.

The home side have announced that they will be missing defender Anton Ferdinand after he picked up a calf injury last weekend.

Danny Guthrie is also out after he suffered an injury setback from a calf problem in October, while Jamie Mackie is missing with a hamstring injury and Pavel Pogrebnyak also misses out with a calf injury.

In their meeting at the Madejski Stadium last season, Reading thrashed Bolton 7-1.

Reading:

Form in Championship: WLWLLW Form in all competitions: WLWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Federici, Kelly, Hector, Cooper, Gunter, McCleary, Norwood, Williams, Obita, Cox, Robson-Kanu

Bolton:

Form in Championship: WLWWDW Form in all competitions: WLWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Bogdan, Vela, Milla, Dervite, Ream, Danns, Pratley, Feeney, Lee, Clayton Davies

Sports Mole says: 2-1