Barnsley v Reading preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's Championship clash between Barnsley and Reading at Oakwell.

Last Updated: 18/03/11 at 09:20

Gray: Likely to start up front for Tykes

Gray: Likely to start up front for Tykes

Barnsley are set to include Hugo Colace, who has been sidelined since early February due to a strained back muscle and has missed the last seven matches.

But Mark Robins must hand late fitness tests to three players, with defenders Paul McShane and Jason Shackell both nursing hamstring strains sustained in last week's draw at Cardiff and midfielder Jacob Mellis, on loan from Chelsea, nursing a similar problem.

Robins must decide whether to recall striker Andy Gray, who scored twice after replacing Danny Haynes against Cardiff.

Haynes is expected to shake off the leg injury that forced him off, but Gray is expected to start up front alongside Marlon Harewood, on loan from Blackpool, after the pair impressed Robins last week.

Defender Luke Potter is a long-term absentee due to medial knee ligament damage.

Reading manager Brian McDermott also has plenty of injuries to deal with ahead of the game.

The Royals battled to a narrow FA Cup defeat at Manchester City last weekend but McDermott has seen his squad decimated by injuries in the last fortnight and is struggling to name a recognised back four at Oakwell.

Captain Matt Mills is again ruled out with the groin strain which forced him to miss out at Eastlands while fellow centre-backs Ivar Ingimarsson and Alex Pearce are also out with thigh problems.

Right-back Andy Griffin is still not fit to start with his Achilles injury so midfielders Jem Karacan and Brynjar Gunnarsson will again have to play in defence as they did last Sunday.

Winger Jobi McAnuff captained the side last week but came off after an hour with a hamstring injury and midfielder Mikele Leigertwood (calf) and striker Noel Hunt (foot) also picked up injuries.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici is back in light training and could return after the international break so Alex McCarthy will continue.

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Championship Fixtures

Monday, 27 May 2013
15:00
C Palace v Watford  

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

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