Neil Warnock will have a greatly depleted squad to select from as we travel to Berkshire to face the division’s form team, but at least we take comfort from the fact that Reading have one or two injury problems of their own to contend with.

After the Watford game last weekend we already knew that three players would be out due to suspension. Darren O’Dea will serve the second game of his two match ban, and Adam Clayton is also suspended on the topping up procedure after collecting too many bookings over the course of the season. Finally, Paul Connolly will have to serve a one match ban after his sending off against the Hornets for his two yellow cards in that game.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, we now know that we have Aidy White out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and several members of the squad were forced to miss the excitement of the event at Flamingo Land as a virus swept through the camp. Neil Warnock told the Yorkshire Post “I have not got a clue what I am going to do, it is chaos at the minute regarding selection for Friday.”

But to look on the bright side, at least this will give some of the fringe players the chance to make an impression, and hopefully they will be eager to impress. Warnock said “There is a good chance Zac Thompson will be playing. I had him in four different positions in my head on Tuesday night” and the boss also indicate that Bromby and Nunez might be playing at some stage, while Danny Webber is likely to start.

It goes without saying that Warnock will be looking for a big improvement from whichever players do manage to take the field tomorrow. After being justifiably critical of the performance against Watford, the boss promised a major overhaul of the squad for next season, while Ken Bates commented that most of the team “only turned up to collect their wages”. And with the game being televised he must be fearful of a possible embarrassment on the big stage.

He was certainly very complimentary about our opponents when he spoke to the official site. "I want them to go up. For me, they are the best side in the Championship. They are organised, they have pace, power, and they have some quality players. They are what I would call a good Championship side and Brian McDermott has done a great job there."

Reading have stormed through into second place by willing 11 games out of the last 13, with the last match in that sequence being the vital 4-2 win at West Ham. But they have three players doubtful for tomorrow after they suffered injuries in that game. Jem Karacan broke his nose and Jay Tabb damaged a rib, while Jimmy Kebe got away quite lightly as he only suffered from cramp. All three will have fitness tests before the game.

As for a prediction, it’s difficult to see anything happening other than another Leeds defeat. Roll on next season.

Photo: Action Images

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