Source: Northern_Echo
Matchfile: Reading v Middlesbrough
Reading: Federici, ODea, Ingimarsson, Bertrand, Cummings, McAnuff, Howard, Kebe, Karacan, Gunnarsson, Rasiak
Middlesbrough: Middlesbrough: Jones,Bennett, St Ledger, Wheater, McMahon, Johnson, Williams, ONeil, Yeates, Lita, Aliadiere
Middlesbrough subs: Coyne, Grounds, Hines, Arca, Digard, Franks, Emnes.
Reading subs: Hamer, Church, Cisse, Mills, Tabb, Hunt, Matejovsky.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Gareth Southgate is expected to name Leroy Lita in his starting line-up after the Reading striker impressed as a substitute during Tuesday's defeat to Leicester. Lita is likely to replace Marvin Emnes, with Mark Yeates also challenging for a starting spot after coming off the bench on Tuesday. Justin Hoyte is out with an ankle ligament injury, while on-loan forward Caleb Folan is likely to be sidelined for six weeks after tearing his hamstring.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Hoyte (ankle), Pogatetz (knee), Folan (hamstring)
Last five league games: LDLWW
Leading league scorer: Johnson 5
Next game: vs Watford (H) 17/10/09
READING: Much-travelled striker Grzegorz Rasiak is being primed for a return to Readings starting line-up this afternoon. Rasiak has been carrying a slight knock, and was only a substitute against Preston in midweek, but is confident of passing a fitness test. Brendan Rogers is without Shane Long and Chris Armstrong. Long has an ankle injury, while Armstrong is still recovering from knee surgery.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Long (ankle), Armstrong (knee)
Last five league games: WDLLD
Leading league scorer: Church, Hunt 2
Key Player: Grzegorz Rasiak - He might be nearing the end of his career, but the Pole remains a capable player at this level.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
League head to head: Middlesbrough 5, Reading 4, Draws 7
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Preston) G10 Y24 R1 Ave: 2.50
Last Middlesbrough game: vs Northampton (H) 29/08/07 W2-0
Odds: H7/4; A5/4; D11/5
Its a fact: Middlesbrough were the opponents in Readings first ever Premier League game.
Comment by ADAM MURRAY: Another tough assignment for Gareth Southgate, and a draw will be a decent outcome.
Prediction: 1-1
