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Swansea vs Reading - Preview
Swansea vs Reading - Preview
Monday, 17th Aug 2009 20:00

Fellow early strugglers Reading are the visitors to the Liberty tomorrow evening with picking up three points already vital

Reading have, like the Swans, struggled in their opening two fixtures, mustering a 0-0 draw at home to Nottingham Forest and a heavy 3-0 defeat away at Newcastle United.

So far this summer, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle have made exits from the Madejski Stadium, with Andre Bikey widely tipped to follow both to the Premier League in the next few days.

Reading have many comparisons with the Swans after the summer transfer window; both clubs lost their highly rated managers, replacing them with inexperienced options, while both have also sold their best assets and have so far failed to re-invest the funds into strengthening their respective squads.

Last season, Swansea enjoyed mixed results against the then promotion chasing Royals - losing 4-0 away and impressively won 2-0 at home.

Following Saturday's humbling at home to Boro, Paulo Sousa hinted at making a move for a midfielder on loan with Darren Pratley, Joe Allen, Jordi Lopez and Tom Butler all still unfit, but it looks unlikely that a signing will be made prior to tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, it's rumoured (although we must stress, it is merely speculation so far) that Ferrie Bodde could make his long awaited return by making an appearance from the substitutes bench. The Dutchman has been out of action since last November with a knee ligament injury, but joined in the warm-up for the 'Boro match on the weekend.

Spanish defender Albert Serran will miss out with a serious injury, with the results of a scan yet to be revealed, leaving Sousa with just two fit recognised central defenders in Ashley Williams and Garry Monk. Guillem Bauza will also sit the match out due to an injury which requires an operation.

Reading are expected to hand Noel Hunt a start up front, but defender Bikey is lined up for a move to Burnley and won't play any part.

Former Watford manager Brendon Rogers said ahead of the clash: "We know we need to get goals, it's important in any league, we will continue to work hard to improve, starting at Swansea on Tuesday."

Expected line-up: de Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Tate, Dyer, Gower, MacDonald, Britton, Orlandi, Dobbie.

Planet Swans prediction: Swansea 1-1 Reading

Photo: Action Images



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