Reading v Derby preview

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Reading will be without Jay Tabb for the visit of the Rams.

Midfielder Tabb was taken to hospital during the weekend win at Burnley, after being knocked unconscious by a hefty clearance from Clarets keeper Lee Grant.

The 27-year-old was discharged in time to join his team-mates on the bus trip back to Berkshire, but he will not be allowed to take part in contact training for at least three days as he recovers from concussion.

Meanwhile, captain Jobi McAnuff is a doubt for the clash after picking up an ankle injury. The winger came off at half time at Turf Moor on Saturday, and could be replaced on the right by Noel Hunt.

However, manager Brian McDermott is hopeful Malian wide man Jimmy Kebe can finally shake off a leg injury in time for the fixture.

Kebe has not featured for the Royals since limping out of the 2-0 victory over Doncaster on September 17.

Derby have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the trip to the Royals with Steven Davies and John Brayford set for spells on the sidelines.

Top scorer Davies faces around six weeks out after suffering a fracture just above the eyebrow during the 1-1 home draw against Southampton on Saturday.

Brayford missed the visit of the Championship leaders after sustaining a slight tear to a thigh muscle in training last week. The defender is expected to be unavailable for three weeks.

Centre-half Russell Anderson deputised for Brayford at right-back against Saints and is likely to do so again, unless manager Nigel Clough can bring in a loan signing in time for the trip to Berkshire.

With Davies out, Nathan Tyson could be about to make a timely return to contention. The summer signing from Nottingham Forest has only managed 24 minutes of first-team action as a substitute this season due to a groin injury.

Tyson is set to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Chesterfield on Wednesday so will not be involved against Reading. However, he could be included in the squad that travels to Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Reading v Derby preview

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Reading manager Brian McDermott will rest striker Shane Long for the Championship finale.

Long has had a brilliant season for the Royals – scoring 23 goals – but has drawn a blank in his last four appearances and will be given the day off with the club’s place in the play-offs secured.

Winger Jimmy Kebe has missed the last three games with a thigh injury and will again miss out, though he is expected to be fit for the start of the play-offs.

Forwards Mathieu Manset and Simon Church will be given starting roles as McDermott looks to end the regular season with a win.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici returned to the side for the goalless draw at Coventry last weekend and is set to keep his place after fully recovering from the knee injury which put him out of action for nine games.

Derby manager Nigel Clough could give his side a youthful look for the match.

Ross Atkins may be handed his debut. The 21-year-old would become the fifth goalkeeper used by the Rams this season after Stephen Bywater, Frank Fielding, James Severn and Brad Jones.

Clough is also thinking about giving starts to midfielder Jeff Hendrick and forwards Conor Doyle and Callum Ball.

“The Reading game is a chance to start one or two of the youngsters,” said Clough. “Ross, Jeff, Conor and Callum are all in with a shout for Saturday.”

The match will see Robbie Savage make his final appearance for Derby as the veteran midfielder is set to retire at the end of the season.