Reading will be without winger Glen Little for the crunch promotion clash with Birmingham.

Little was forced off late in the first half of Monday's 2-0 win at Norwich after pulling his hamstring and he will not be fit to feature.

That should see Stephen Hunt restored to the starting line-up. Hunt was named in the PFA Championship team of the year last weekend but has been relegated to the bench in recent weeks.

Left-back Chris Armstrong should be fit to return from his knee injury though the form of Dan Harding in his absence may keep him on the sidelines while midfielder Jay Tabb (illness) could also be back in the 16, but James Harper (groin) is definitely out.

Top scorer Kevin Doyle will be in the squad but is not 100% fit as he battles to shake off a knee problem so Shane Long - scorer of both goals at Norwich - and Dave Kitson should continue up front. Brynjar Gunnarsson (hamstring) and captain Graeme Murty (calf) are both fit after playing for the reserves in midweek.

Noel Hunt is out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a bone in his foot and Ivar Ingimarsson (knee) is a long-term absentee. A win for the Royals coupled with Sheffield United failing to beat Crystal Palace will see Reading return to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt.