Match Preview: Reading

Last updated : 30 September 2010 By Paul Neat

Preston North End Vs Reading Match Preview

Npower Championship Saturday 2nd October 2010

Those that were at Elland Road on Tuesday night won’t need what happened describing to them.

Conversely, those that weren’t in attendance won’t take solace in being told that it was indescribable. Unbelievable even.

Darren Ferguson

However, what they can take solace in is knowing that North End recorded two back-to-back away wins for the first time since April 2009 season, subsequently lifting them out of the bottom three.

Saturday’s visitors Reading, though, have picked up how they left off by hitting the ground running.

The Royals, who comprehensively demolished Preston on the final day, find themselves in a lofty 6th place.

A win for North End would leave Darren Ferguson a happy man going into the international break having picked up three straight wins.

Previous Meetings

The North End faithful won’t want reminding too much about what happened the last time these two sides met each other.

A 4-1 drubbing at the Madejski attributed to some suicidal defending rounded up a season to forget for Preston fans.

The Royals did the double over North End last season thanks to the aforementioned 4-1 defeat in Berkshire as well as a 2-1 loss at Deepdale almost exactly one year ago.

Simon Church put the visitors ahead just after the half hour mark before Jimmy Kebe doubled their advantage just before half-time, despite a whiff of offside.

Jon Parkin

Parkin pulled one back from the penalty spot late on but proved to be too little too late.

In the past eight years since both sides have returned to the second tier, excusing the two seasons Reading spent in the Premier League, The Royals have edged the victories with 7 over Preston’s 5.

The last North End victory came at Deepdale in a 2-1 win back in October 2008.

For more stats click here

Team News

North End are set to welcome Wayne Brown and Joshua King back into possible contention.

Brown picked up a slight hamstring problem against Coventry whilst King took a knock to his ankle against Burnley.

The pair might have to make do with a place on the bench.

Matt James

For the visitors, Brian Howard and Matt Mills both miss out through suspension.

McDermott will not be able to call upon Brynjar Gunnarsson, Andy Griffin and Jay Tabb through injury whilst Hal Robson-Kanu and Julian Kelly both remain doubts.