On-loan striker Vincent Pericard may start for Portsmouth against Reading after impressing as a substitute against Ipswich on Friday, but fellow forward Yacubu Ayegbini (hamstring) is a doubt.

Wing-back Kevin Harper, who has only just recovered from a hernia operation, also came off the bench and may start.

Reading manager Alan Pardew has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from and is likely to go with his usual formation of 4-5-1, with Nicky Forster as a lone striker, although Darius Henderson, who came on as a second forward during Friday's win over Nottingham Forest, is pressing for a start.