G.M's Match Preview: After Rams Recent Run Reading Is A Must Win
Tuesday, 12th Jan 2016 06:55 by George Martin

After being tested by Hartlepool before going through the 3rd round of the FA Cup, Derby get back into league action when they host Reading, who themselves drew against Huddersfield in the same competition.

Carson and Thorne are injured for Derby and despite being back in training have been ruled out by Clement until at least the weekend.

Derby will be back Grant in goal and revert to Christie at right back, Keogh and Shackell at centre back and Warnock will continue at left back.

The choices in midfield will be interesting as both new signings Abdoul Razza and ex-Reading player Blackman both made good debuts. It would be no surprise for both to keep their places but that would leave the inform Ince on the bench.

All 3 could play if Derby played Ince behind Martin/Bent and in front of Butterfield and Johnson centrally in a 4-2-3-1 formation but that would once again leave Hendrick on the bench. The two new signings should be good acquisitions as they have pace which is one thing missing from Derby going forward - true pace to really stretch opposition defenders.

After initially making a good start to the season, Reading are sitting mid table. It seemed like the distractions of other jobs for previous manager Clarke halted their form and he lost his job. They are now managed by former manager McDermott.

Reading seem to attack well and regularly have a number of shots on target through Vydra, Robson - Kanu and their previous winger Blackman who is obviously now at Derby. Al Habsi, Norwood and Ferdinand are competent players for this division and they have injury doubts hanging over defenders McShane and Hector.

Reading may look to contain Derby and rely on the pace of Robson - Kanu on the break and the intelligent movement of Vydra.

Prediction:

After only one point from their last two league games, this is a big week and Derby need to win.

Derby to get the points with a 3-1 win, Ince and Blackman to bag!