Reading v Swansea preview
Reading’s influential wide man Jimmy Kebe is struggling to overcome a thigh injury in time for the clash.
The Malian winger has missed the last six matches, including both legs of the semi-final triumph over Cardiff, and manager Brian McDermott will give him as long as possible to try and prove his fitness.
“We’re waiting on Jimmy Kebe as we have been for the past six weeks so we will have to see how he is,” McDermott said.
“We will give him every opportunity to play and that is all we can do really. I don’t know whether he is 50-50, who knows? We’ll see if he trains on Saturday. He wasn’t particularly close to match fitness against Cardiff so we will have to wait and see.”
Hal Robson-Kanu, who had stood in for Kebe, is fit for the showpiece clash having himself missed the second leg of the semi-final in Cardiff with a hamstring problem sustained in the first meeting between the two sides at the Madejski Stadium.
He will battle it out with Shaun Cummings for a place on the right of midfield should Kebe not make it, with the Royals boasting an otherwise fully-fit squad.
Boss Brendan Rodgers does not have any injury concerns, although left-back Neil Taylor remains suspended.
Skipper Garry Monk has overcome a slight stomach bug and trained on Thursday, leaving him fit to occupy his centre-back role alongside Ashley Williams.
Alan Tate will again line up at left-back in place of Taylor who serves the second game of a three-match ban for his dismissal in the first leg of Swans’ 3-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest.
Rodgers will keep faith with his trusted 4-3-3 formation and could name the same XI who started the second leg against Forest.
“Our preparation has been terrific,” Rodgers said. “We’re obviously very much looking forward to the game, the players have earned the right to get to the final and we’re all excited about going there.
“We’re obviously cautious as well – this is a game where you might only get one chance.”