Reading vs West Ham Premier League Preview

PREVIEW

Reading will be aiming to build on the draw with Swansea that ended their losing streak, while West Ham are looking to a first win in four games.

Reading prepare to host West Ham with a glimmer of hope from Boxing Day that may have partially lifted the midwinter gloom over the Madejski Stadium. 

The goalless draw with Swansea City may not linger long in the memory, but it ended a soul-destroying sequence of seven consecutive defeats for Brian McDermott's side. 

With half the season gone, Royals' fans will hope that the point gleaned on Wednesday can kick-start a climb towards safety. 

Reading did the double over the Hammers last season and they must be looking to take all three points. 

A Tube strike gave West Ham a day off on Boxing Day, and Sam Allardyce will be looking for a first win in four games against the Premier League's leakiest defence. 

Victory over Chelsea at the start of December raised hopes of a move up the table, but just one point from a possible nine since have seen the Hammers anchored firmly in mid-table. 

Carlton Cole will be available for the short trip to Berkshire, with the red card controversially shown to the striker against Everton having been subsequently rescinded. 

A swathe of injuries forced Allardyce to call a halt to full-contact training over the Christmas period for fear of losing any more players at such a busy time.

TEAM NEWS

READING

Jason Roberts could be in contention after missing Reading's last four games with a hip injury.

Sean Morrison's ankle forced the defender to miss the draw with Swansea on Boxing Day, while Alex McCarthy is a long-term absentee with a shoulder problem.

WEST HAM

Andy Carroll is still out with a knee problem, while Ricardo Vaz Te has only recently returned to training after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Yossi Benayoun has returned to parent club Chelsea with an injury, and Mohamed Diame remains sidelined because of a hamstring problem.

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Source: SkySports