Preview: Reading vs. Middlesbrough

Reading and Middlesbrough return to Championship action on Saturday a week after securing their progress in the FA Cup with victories in the third round.

Royals manager Steve Clarke had Neil Blackman to thank for the winning goal in a 1-0 triumph over Barnsley, while Middlesbrough eased to a 2-0 victory over Barnsley at Oakwell.

Middlesbrough finished 2014 with three wins from five games in December, and Aitor Karanka will be hopeful of seeing his side hit top form in the league again as they look to close the gap on Bournemouth and Ipswich Town in the automatic promotion places.

However, Karanka must prepare for the game without two key players due to the suspension of Adam Clayton and the injury suffered by Rhys Williams, who will be out for the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles against Barnsley.

Ben Gibson is set to be recalled in defence, while Grant Leadbitter will start in midfield after being named on the bench last weekend.

Reading returned to form in the Championship in December by beating Norwich City to end a run of four games without a win, and they will close in on a spot in the top half of the table with a win on Saturday.

Reading:

Form in Championship: WDLLDW Form in all competitions: DLLDWW

Possible starting lineup: Federici; Gunter, Obita, Pearce, Hector; Williams, Norwood, Guthrie, Mackie; Robson-Kanu, Cox

Middlesbrough:

Form in Championship: DWWLWD Form in all competitions: WWLWDW

Possible starting lineup: Mejias, Gibson, Ayala, Omeruo, Husband, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Tomlin, Vossen, Kike, Bamford

Sports Mole says: 1-2