Cardiff v Reading. Preview

02 January 2012 02:22
From press sources.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay may be boosted by the return of Kevin McNaughton for Monday's Championship clash with Reading.

McNaughton limped off after just 18 minutes of the draw at Watford on Boxing Day with a calf injury and, as a result, was sidelined for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

However, even if the defender is passed fit, he may have to be content with a place among the substitutes after Darcy Blake filled the right-back role at the City Ground.

Mackay may stick with the same formation for the second successive match, meaning Rudy Gestede and Joe Mason will continue to join Saturday's match-winner Kenny Miller, who has eight goals this season, in a three-man attack.

Craig Conway may have to settle for a place on the bench again alongside fellow midfielder Stephen McPhail and striker Robert Earnshaw.

Reading boss Brian McDermott is unlikely to make changes.

The Royals saw off Ipswich on Saturday to claim their fourth consecutive league victory and McDermott is set to retain those players for the clash with Malky Mackay's fellow high-flyers.

If McDermott does decide to make changes, he may strengthen his defence by promoting the experienced Ian Harte from the substitutes bench.

Striker Adam Le Fondre made way for Noel Hunt during the second half and may drop to the bench, while Hal Robson-Kanu will again have to settle for a place among the substitutes after returning to the squad against Paul Jewell's side following injury.

Midfielder Brian Howard returned to the club following the end of his loan spell at Millwall and is unlikely to feature.

Source: FOOTYMAD