Live Commentary

Faye causing Hammers trouble Sam Allardyce will leave it as late as possible to assess Abdoulaye Faye's fitness ahead of West Ham's key clash against fellow promotion-chasers Reading. Faye was withdrawn at half-time during the Hammers' victory over Peterborough on Tuesday due to a head injury, but an X-ray has revealed he has not suffered a fractured skull as first feared. Allardyce will wait until the morning of the game to determine whether the Senegalese defender is fit. Danny Collins replaced Faye on Tuesday night and will deputise should he be deemed unfit. Joey O'Brien was also substituted at half-time during the Peterborough game as a precaution, but is expected to be fit to face Reading. Julien Faubert is on standby should O'Brien miss out. Winston Reid and Guy Demel are back in training following spells on the treatment table, but neither are expected to be involved. Reading are hopeful that striker Jason Roberts will be available. The former Blackburn forward suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-1 defeat at Peterborough last week and missed the victory over Blackpool. On-loan Arsenal starlet Benik Afobe deputised for Roberts against the Tangerines, but he may drop to the bench if the veteran hitman recovers in time. Full-back Matthew Connolly continues to miss out with an ankle problem, with Shaun Cummings likely to continue on the right of defence in his absence, while Joseph Mills is also sidelined through injury. Reserve goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen will be unavailable to manager Brian McDermott because of a knee problem, and the Royals have recalled Alex McCarthy from his loan spell at Ipswich to provide cover to regular number one Adam Federici.