Reading boss Brian McDermott can call on the services of Welsh international Simon Church for the visit of Barnsley, a side they have beaten in their four previous league meetings.
Striker Church has trained all week after recovering from a thigh injury and may return to add some much-needed firepower to the side that has been missing since they lost last season's top scorer Shane Long to West Brom.
Veteran full-back Andy Griffin suffered a hamstring injury during the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in midweek and is a doubt for the game.
Shaun Cummings is very close to a return and could play if Griffin is ruled out while fellow defender Marcus Williams will again be absent because of injury.
Barnsley manager Keith Hill has concerns over the fitness of several unnamed players for the game.
The Tykes suffered a third successive home defeat in the space of a week on Tuesday and Hill revealed some of his players were struggling with various bumps and bruises.
Striker Ricardo Vaz Te missed Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough due to a slight muscle tear and is unlikely to be rushed back as Hill chases his first league win of the season and first since taking charge.
Defender Stephen Foster and goalkeeper Luke Steele returned to the side in midweek in place of Jim McNulty and David Preece respectively, while Jim O'Brien stepped in for summer signing Craig Davies.
Steele turned in an impressive display and is expected to retain his place but despite coming under increasing pressure, Hill is unlikely to make any major changes other than those forced through injury.
