Reading could move into the playoff positions with a victory over Bolton Wanderers in Saturday's Championship meeting at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals ended a five-match winless streak in their last outing, overcoming Watford 1-0 to get their promotion challenge back on track.
They now sit just one point and one spot behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and would move into the top six if they win and the Seagulls fail to beat Derby County.
To record a second consecutive victory, Reading will need to do something that they haven't found easy of late - score a goal. They have found the net just twice in their last five outings, with both goals being scored by defenders.
Home form is becoming an increasing issue for Nigel Adkins as his side have lost two and drawn one of their last three games at the Madejski.
However, those two defeats are the only two they have suffered in front of their own fans all season as they started the campaign with a nine-match unbeaten streak at home.
Reading could have problems with injury for Saturday's match as Jem Karacan and Wayne Bridge are definitely out, while Jason Roberts, Mikele Leigertwood and Sean Morrison are all doubtful.
However, Adkins could finally welcome Hal Robson-Kanu back into the side after a lengthy absence through injury.
Bolton are in decent form themselves, but they will still have one eye cast tentatively over their shoulder at the bottom three.
The Trotters currently sit 18th in the table and are seven points clear of the relegation zone, so the threat of the drop is not quite imminent, but they will want their good run to take them further away from danger.
That good run has seen them lose just once in their last six matches in all competitions, and that came against league leaders Leicester City at the end of December.
Their away form has been hit-and-miss so far this season, with four wins, six defeats and two draws to their name.
Dougie Freedman will be without Adam Bogdan, Stuart Holden, Joe Riley and Marc Tierney for the match, all of whom miss out through injury.
Recent form
Reading: LLLDLW
Bolton: DWLDWD
Possible starting lineups
Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Cummings; McCleary, Obita, Williams, McAnuff; Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre
Bolton: Lonergan; Ream, Mills, Knight, Baptiste; Davies, Spearing, Lee, Moritz, Danns; Ngog
Sports Mole says: 2-1
Barney Corkhill
