Church set for Royals return

Reading boss Brian McDermott can call on the services of Welsh international Simon Church for the visit of Barnsley, a side they have beaten in their four previous league meetings.

Striker Church has trained all week after recovering from a thigh injury and may return to add some much-needed firepower to the side that has been missing since they lost last season's top scorer Shane Long to West Brom.

Veteran full-back Andy Griffin suffered a hamstring injury during the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in midweek and is a doubt for the game.

Shaun Cummings is very close to a return and could play if Griffin is ruled out while fellow defender Marcus Williams will again be absent because of injury.