Royals to monitor walking wounded

Reading manager Brian McDermott is sweating over the fitness of several key first-team players for the clash with Bristol City.

McDermott has doubts over captain Jobi McAnuff (groin) and midfielder Mikele Leigertwood (thigh), although defender Andy Griffin, who has sat out the last four matches with an Achilles injury, could be fit.

Forward Mathieu Manset is also classed as a major doubt after tweaking his hamstring in a reserve-team match and winger Jimmy Kebe is in the process of recovering from a knee niggle.

New signing Karl Sheppard has not played since December 15 and may not yet be ready for consideration as Reading look to bounce back from last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Hull.

However, Jason Roberts and Tomasz Cywka could make their debuts after arriving from Blackburn and Derby respectively on Thursday.