West Brom (A) Match Preview

After a rather disappointing performance against Spurs on Sunday, Reading will want to prove a point to their doubters, as they take on West Bromwich Albion. Steve Clarke's side have started well but picked up their first loss last week against Fulham in a 3-0 defeat.

Reading boss Brian McDermott - 'We need to do ourselves justice and do the fans justice. We need the fans to stay with us and I`m sure they will do. We`ve looked at the fact that we didn`t play a game for over three weeks before Tottenham. It`s a reason rather than an excuse - that`s a very long time. We`ve got that game under our belts now so we`ll be ready."

West Brom head coach Steve Clarke - 'Reading is a good club, well organised from top to bottom. There is a really good structure and Brian McDermott has been there for a long time and knows the club inside out. He`s done a fantastic job to get them into the Premier League having suffered a real heartbreak in the play-offs the year before last. To get them up the way he did in the manner he did was a great achievement so they will be tough opponents.'

West Brom will be without the suspended Peter Odemwingie, who was sent off against Fulham last week for violent conduct. Defender Steven Reid is expected to return from a hamstring problem, but new signing Goran Popov is still not fit to make his debut.

The former Reading striker has made a big impression so far for the Baggies, becoming a fans favourite at the Hawthorns. Has admitted he won't celebrate against his former side, will certainly be a handful.

Reading winger Jimmy Kebe is back in full training with the Royals, but is unlikely to be risked for this fixture. Striker Jason Roberts is still injured with a calf strain, but is close to returning to training.

After Ian Harte's poor performance against Tottenham, it could time for Royals legend Shorey to make his long-awaited return. Will want to prove a point at the club he was released from in May.

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Gera, Morrison, Fortune, Long

Reading: McCarthy, Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Shorey, McCleary, Guthrie, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak

The referee for the game at the Hawthorns will be Michael Oliver, who is the Premier League's youngest referee at the age of 27.

It will be a tough game, but one I feel we can manage to get a result out of. Credible 1-1 draw.

West Brom - Liverpool (H) - Wed 26th September - Capital One Cup

Reading - QPR (A) - Wed 26th September - Capital One Cup

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