Reading v Swansea preview

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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.”

Reading v Swansea preview

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Reading are monitoring the fitness of Hal Robson-Kanu ahead of Swansea’s visit after the winger pulled out of Wales’ Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland in midweek with a knee problem.

Andy Griffin and Jay Tabb are both in contention, however, after playing for the reserves during the week.

Tabb has played just 151 minutes for the Royals this season due to a foot injury while former Stoke full-back Griffin has missed the last eight matches with a hamstring injury.

Matt Mills and Brian Howard are also back in contention after completing recent suspensions.

Icelandic midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson will again miss out through a hamstring injury as the Royals look to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to four games.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has received a series of boosts ahead of his return to the Madejski Stadium.

Influential midfield trio (groin) Scott Sinclair (hamstring), Darren Pratley (shoulder) and David Cotterill all missed the club’s goalless draw against Derby prior to the international break but they return to the fold against the Royals.

Wales captain and centre-back Ashley Williams shrugged of an ankle injury to play 90 minutes against Switzerland in midweek and should be okay.

Midfielder Joe Allen (groin) pulled out of Brian Flynn’s squad ahead of the nation’s 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria last Friday but is expected to pass a fitness test, and he will be assessed along with each of the club’s returning internationals.

New signing Kemy Agustien is in full training after his knee injury and could push for inclusion, leaving just Gorka Pintado (shoulder) on the sidelines, although the striker has returned to non-contact training.

Rodgers parted ways with the Royals last December after just six months in charge.