Nick Blackman banned for opening match

Reading striker Nick Blackman will miss the club's opening match of the Championship season after being handed a one-match ban by the Football Association.

Despite contesting the charge, Blackman has been found guilty of misconduct towards a steward at Scunthorpe United last September.

The hearing for the incident only occurred last week, which has resulted in the 23-year-old being forced to miss the first game of the next campaign.

Blackman will be absent when Reading travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.