Reading have suffered a blow with the news that they will be without midfielder Marek Matejovsky for the Carling Cup clash at Dagenham.The Czech Republic international was carried off on a stretcher after just 42 minutes of Sunday's 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest and has suffered ankle ligament damage.

Manager Steve Coppell expects him to be sidelined for around a fortnight so Kalifa Cisse should partner Middlesbrough target James Harper in the centre of midfield.

Captain Graeme Murty remains out with a calf injury while Michael Duberry is sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Coppell is also without reserve goalkeeper Adam Federici and defender Andre Bikey as they are in Beijing on Olympic duty with Australia and Cameroon respectively. Brynjar Gunnarsson and Sam Sodje are both ruled out with knee injuries.

With the tie coming just 48 hours after the opening Championship fixture at the City Ground Coppell may bring the likes of Shane Long, Alex Pearce and Jem Karacan into his side.

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