Reading v Peterborough

Last updated : 16 April 2010 By BBC Sport

Reading will hand a late fitness test to midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson, who suffered a minor head injury in the defeat against Newcastle in midweek.Zurab Khizanishvili (knee) will also be assessed, while Ivar Ingimarsson (hamstring) is sidelined and fellow centre-back Matt Mills is suspended.

Peterborough defender Gabriel Zakuani is back in contention after recovering from a knee problem.

But midfielder Lee Frecklington is still out with a hamstring injury.

MATCH PREVIEW

Reading's midweek defeat against leaders Newcastle - their first loss in eight home matches - was a major blow to the Royals' hopes of sneaking into the play-offs.

Nine wins from 11 games had given Brian McDermott's side a fighting chance of sneaking into the top six, but they have now managed only one victory in their last five matches.

Peterborough beat Reading earlier in the season - one of only seven Championship wins for Posh, whose relegation back to League One has already been sealed.

Defensive shortcomings have been a big factor in their struggle. It has certainly been a tough season for highly-rated goalkeeper Joe Lewis, who is set to make his 150th career appearance.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Peterborough have won 13 and Reading nine of the 31 league meetings between these clubs.

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• Reading's last four home league games against Peterborough, spanning 26 years, have all ended in draws.

Reading

• Reading have scored in each of their last 14 home Championship games.

• Jay Tabb is in line for his 300th career appearance, and Brynjar Gunnarsson his 300th start in English football.

Peterborough

• Peterborough are without a win in seven matches.

• Posh need six points from their last three fixtures to reach 37 points: their total in their last season in the second tier (1993/94).

MOST RECENT MEETING

Peterborough 3-2 Reading (19 September 2009)

Peterborough scorers: Mackail-Smith 48, Mclean 54, Boyd 90.

Reading scorers: Sigurdsson 30, Church 42.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport