Millwall (H) Match Preview

The new NPower Championship season begins for Reading and Millwall as they face off in what will be a great clash tomorrow at the Madejski Stadium.

Brian McDermott - 'We're ready to go, it's 46 games and this is the first of them - I'm looking forward to being at Madejski Stadium in front of our own fans and we want to put on the kind of football they want to watch and win games. I know Kenny Jackett really well; they know how we play and we know how they play, we'll have two honest sides out there, they were really difficult to play against last season.'

Kenney Jackett - 'Noel Hunt and Hal Robson-Kanu are both very talented. Some of their forwards can score quite easily at this level. They have a lot of goals in their team but I feel this is a test we are prepared for. It will be a good yardstick for the rest of the season.'

Mikele Leigertwood and Noel Hunt should recover from knocks received during training last week. Jay Tabb is definitely ruled out as he is serving a two-game suspension. However, Simon Churchis unlikely to be fit as he is still nursing a thigh injury picked up last week.

Likely Starting XI: Federici, Griffin, Khumalo, Pearce, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Long, HRK

The South African international defender is set to make his first start for the Royals following his loan from Tottenham, as he looks to have his hands full dealing with the likes of Darius Hendersen and Josh McQuoid.

Millwall are still monitoring the fitness of captain Paul Robinson and Liam Trotter. David Forde is likely to be fit despite a recent ankle injury but Shaun Batt is certainly out due to a cruciate injury.

The Reading-born winger has been a hit at Millwall since he left the Royals. A dead ball specialist and with the likes of Darius Hendersen in the box, would be crucial for the Royals to focus on.

Although this will be a very tight game, I see the Royals sneaking it 1-0. Millwall will be good going up the pitch but I do not think they have enough defensively to cope with the likes of Long, Kebe and McAnuff.

Tuesday 9th August - Charlton (A) - Carling Cup First Round

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