News and Views

McShane And Van den Berg To Miss Barnsley Visit

09 February 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Paul McShane and Joey Van den Berg are both set to miss the next two games as they continue to recover from injuries. The Royals will be without both players ahead of Barnsley's visit to the Madejski Stadium this Saturday. Reading have two home games in the space of four days as they look to pick up points at home to keep the pace with the division's top two. Brentford are the next visitors on Tuesday night, and Reading fans will be hoping for a maximum six points to keep the outside chance of automatic promotion alive.

Despite McShane and Van den Berg likely to be sidelined, Reading manager Jaap Stam delivered an upbeat injury update this morning and he confirmed that a number of key players are on the verge of returning to action but will be unable to face either Barnsley or Brentford. Stephen Quinn has been out for a long time, with his last first team action all the way back in October 2016 - Reading's 0-2 away defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup. However, things are looking up for Quinn with Stam confirming he has at last returned to training with the first team: "He is getting back into the routine of training, small games, big games, getting his match fitness. He's getting there as well, he's feeling a lot better than he was a few weeks ago." The Royals have been getting by without Quinn but, despite the recent arrivals, he remains a very useful player to have available to bring back into the squad.

Meanwhile Callum Harriott remains out with his hamstring injury and defender Tiago Ilori still has his knee in a brace, with Stam expecting his recovery to take "several weeks". Ilori has had bad luck since signing for an estimated 3.75 million pounds from Liverpool a month ago. He has managed just two games and been forced to sit out the last three games. His only start was at Derby County as the Royals slumped to a 2-3 defeat.

Ilori, McShane and Van den Berg's absence saw Jaap Stam snap up West Ham youngster Reece Oxford on loan on transfer deadline day to fill in the middle of defence. Oxford was an unused substitute during Reading's 2-2 draw at Ipswich but will be hoping to make his home debut this weekend. Those that didn't travel to Ipswich will be looking forward to seeing some new faces with Mutch and Grabban likely to play. With other players returning from injury in the near future, Stam is spoilt for choice as he looks to build a promotion challenge.

 

Discussion On This Story:

 Kuhl_Runnings

» 09 Feb 2017 10:25

Tricky enough game, although they've lost key players recently and we've already beat them. I'll go for 2-1, Grabban to grab (pun not intended) a brace on his home debut.

 oh_ROAR

» 09 Feb 2017 10:45

Lost most of their key players to Villa. So for that reason we'll probably lose.

Here's hoping for a 2-0 win

 WAZZOCK

» 09 Feb 2017 10:49



Given that they are 5th in the away table and 15th in the home table - this is highly inaccurate.

 oh_ROAR

» 09 Feb 2017 10:55



Given that they are 5th in the away table and 15th in the home table - this is highly inaccurate.

My mistake, chatting out my arse as usual

 Hound

» 09 Feb 2017 11:11

I'm expecting a win, but will be tough. Much rather play these northern teams on decent pitches and warm weather, not in the cold filth forecast for the weekend.

2-0 Grabban and McCleary.

 Royal_jimmy

» 09 Feb 2017 13:31

Reading 2-0 Barnsley

Grabban and McCleary

 genome

» 09 Feb 2017 13:33

1-0 Grabban

 Gunny Fishcake

» 09 Feb 2017 18:15

Confident victory....3-1 after going one nil down

 CountryRoyal

» 10 Feb 2017 07:29

Manager of the month curse strikes again.

0-1

 paultheroyal

» 10 Feb 2017 08:00



Given that they are 5th in the away table and 15th in the home table - this is highly inaccurate.

My mistake, chatting out my arse as usual

Noted

 Stranded

» 10 Feb 2017 08:47

This will be Barnsley's first real test since losing their top scorer and best midfielder to Villa. They have a strong away record, but we have a strong home record.

Can't see past a 2-1 home win. Grabban to get his first with Kelly getting the other. Former Reading trainee Angus McDonald to net for Barnsley.

 Gunny Fishcake

» 10 Feb 2017 11:52



With Jaap winning Manager of the month I'm changing my prediction to a 1-0 loss :cry:

 SCIAG

» 10 Feb 2017 12:15

I see no reason to change my prediction based on MOTM awards.

Reading 30-0 Barnsley
Kebe x27
Kermorgant x2
Blackett

 Stockport Royal

» 10 Feb 2017 12:48

2-1 for me, crowd have a big role to play,

Can see us going behind, but being lifted by some good individual displays and coming back to win, providing great momentum for the next game in the process.

 John Smith

» 10 Feb 2017 12:57

Barnsley score quite a lot on the road so I'll go for BTTS and a Reading win:

3-1

 The Cap

» 10 Feb 2017 13:20

Got a feeling that this game has a bit of the QPR's about it. Won't be there to see it , however will be around for the 'Fud game when I think we'll come back with a bang. Newbies still settling in, so I'm with Country on this one. 1-0 to Barnslee. Really hope I'm proved wrong. URZZZZZZZ!

 maffff

» 10 Feb 2017 14:30

Same prediction as HIllary.

3-0

 The Royal Forester

» 10 Feb 2017 15:11

1) Barnsley have quite a good away record this season.
2) They have beaten us at home two years on the trot.
3) Stam is Manager of the Month.
4) Too many fans predicting us to win.
Therefore. I predict those Tykes will win 2-0 .

 dean horrix legend

» 10 Feb 2017 15:21



Agree with this but if Kebe doesn't play:

Reading 0 -2 Barnsley

Michael Parkinson (Sir) x 2

 The Royal Forester

» 10 Feb 2017 17:49


Sorry, having reread an article (correctly this time) reason 2 should have been "They have beaten us at home on their last two visits". At least I am able to claim misreading it first time is due to old age!

 Dennis the Butler

» 10 Feb 2017 18:32

Anyone remember Reading 6 Barnsley 2 way back in something like 70/71 when Les Chappell scored a hatrick .. a similar score tomorrow would be nice !

 windermereROYAL

» 10 Feb 2017 21:31



We`ve beaten them 7-0 since then.

 Ian Royal

» 10 Feb 2017 21:47

Reading 2-1 Barnsley
Swift, Grabban

 AthleticoSpizz

» 10 Feb 2017 21:50

Totally pointless guess from Spizz

1-0 boring game

 Top Flight

» 10 Feb 2017 21:51

Barnsley without Hourihane and Winnall will be a pile of sh!te. I'm going for three nil Reading.

 loyalroyal4life

» 10 Feb 2017 22:12

1-1

Beerens

 Half Biscuit

» 10 Feb 2017 22:56



1969-70. Included a diving header. Great game, great season. Great memory, thanks.
Most of us are expecting a win tomorrow, and that's when it usually goes pear-shaped...
0-2, just to be a miserable git.

 paultheroyal

» 11 Feb 2017 00:31

3:0

Art: 16895

 Emeraldroyal

» 11 Feb 2017 00:45



No I was firmly in 'gods pocket' aka my Dads ball sack..'

Reading 3 Barnsley 1 with a nod to some kid who is born
2037 who reads this shit when the flux capacitator has been discovered and tries to change the course of history but realises several things
1- you're a Reading fan and you take what you're given
2- moan all you want it's part of the fabric
3- you once fancied your mother and with the evolution of sex robots, that's perfectly acceptable in places like oxford and Swindon :roll:

 Half Biscuit

» 11 Feb 2017 12:47



No I was firmly in 'gods pocket' aka my Dads ball sack..'

Reading 3 Barnsley 1 with a nod to some kid who is born
2037 who reads this shit when the flux capacitator has been discovered and tries to change the course of history but realises several things
1- you're a Reading fan and you take what you're given
2- moan all you want it's part of the fabric
3- you once fancied your mother and with the evolution of sex robots, that's perfectly acceptable in places like oxford and Swindon :roll:
Love it


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