Reading hope to welcome back Ovie Ejaria and Sam Baldock for the visit of Birmingham.

Ejaria missed last weekend’s win at Wigan through illness while Baldock has not played since limping off at Brentford two weeks ago.

Jordan Obita is a doubt due to illness and will be assessed.

John Swift is still out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until closer to Christmas.

Birmingham defender Marc Roberts has been ruled out for around a month.

The centre-half was carried off against Millwall last Saturday with an ankle injury.

Harlee Dean came on for Roberts and is likely to start in the centre of defence.

Midfielder Gary Gardner is still building up his fitness following a knee injury.

 

Reading (18) v Birmingham (15)

Last season: Reading 0 Birmingham 0, Birmingham 2 Reading 1

Last five league matches: Reading W W L L W; Birmingham L L D D D

Top scorers (all competitions): George Puscas (Reading) 7; Lukas Jutkiewicz (Birmingham) 4

Match odds: H 23-20 D 12-5 A 12-5

Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex)

Reading vs Birmingham predictions

Under 2.5 Match Goals @ 10/11

Draw 0-0 @ 9/1