Royals Face Newport In First Home Game

12 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's first home game of the season sees Welsh side Newport County visit the Madejski Stadium this evening. The League Two side face the Royals in the first round of the League Cup after completing their first season back in the Football League last term. Newport lost their League status in 1988 before the club was forced to fold during the following season after being unable to pay off their debts. The re-formed side has worked their way back-up through the English football pyramid and finished mid-table last season in League Two. The Exiles won their first round League Cup game last year with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Brighton. They went out of the cup in the next round with a 0-3 defeat at West Brom.

Reading will be hoping to improve on last years League Cup showing. The Royals entered in the second round last year and were immediately dumped out with a 0-6 thrashing at League One Peterborough. Despite losing their opening game of the season, tonight's visitors will surely fancy their chances in front of what is expected to be a decent away following for a first round League Cup game. Tonight's game sees all under 16 tickets available for just a pound and kicks off at 8pm. The North Stand is closed but the East Stand is unreserved seating with tickets available on the night.

With a much slimmed down squad, Reading's starting eleven is expected to include plenty of those who took part in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wigan. However, Alex McCarthy should be back in goal after Federici was selected ahead of him for the League game. Simon Cox is likely to make his first ever first team start for Reading after playing the last half an hour, and impressing, at the weekend. New signing Anton Ferdinand is available for selection after completing his move - but he is unlikely to start due to a lack of match fitness. Ferdinand could still be involved from the subs bench. Nigel Adkins will be keen to avoid an embarrassing defeat in front of the prospective new owners who are likely to be watching on.

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