Doncaster V Reading at Keepmoat Stadium : Match Preview

03 February 2012 09:01
Diouf stays with Rovers

Doncaster manager Dean Saunders could keep an unchanged side for the visit of Reading after El-Hadji Diouf committed himself to the club.

The on-going saga regarding Diouf's future at the Keepmoat finally reached a conclusion when the former Liverpool attacker signed a deal until the end of the season, with the option of a further year, on Thursday.

That means Diouf should retain his wide position against the Royals with Habib Bamogo and James Hayter continuing in attack following the sale of Billy Sharp to Southampton.

James Coppinger is facing six weeks on the sidelines having suffered a broken cheekbone and Adam Lockwood will remain in the heart of defence as Habib Beye continues a three-match ban.

Martin Woods made his first start in over a year in the encouraging 0-0 draw with Hull on Tuesday and having shown no ill-effects, he will continue in midfield. Rovers are five points adrift of safety in the npower Championship but have not been beaten at home in the league since November 1.

Reading manager Brian McDermott is sweating over the fitness of several key first-team players.

Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood has been recovering from a thigh injury which kept him out of the 1-0 victory over Bristol City last time out while Jimmy Kebe missed the same match with a knee problem.

Both could feature for the Royals at the Keepmoat Stadium, however, and there could be a debut for defender Matthew Connolly.

Connolly joined on loan from QPR until the end of the season on transfer deadline day and is in contention for a starting berth on Saturday.

Forward Mathieu Manset is classed as a doubt after tweaking his hamstring in a reserve-team match, while January signing Karl Sheppard has not played since December 15 and may not yet be ready for consideration.

Doncaster V Reading - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.

Source: PA