Royals face anxious wait before potential relegation decider

READING have one final chance to save their Championship future in a relegation showdown away at Huddersfield Town.

That is if the Terriers are beaten on Thursday night in their game in hand against Sheffield United. If they manage to avoid defeat then Reading will be relegated before the final day of the season.

The Royals have gone

12 games without picking up a win, which combined with a six-point deduction, means their Championship future is under serious threat.

Having sacked manager Paul

Ince and given Noel Hunt the final five games of the season to try and keep the team in the league, the Royals have managed three draws and one defeat from the Irishman’s short spell in charge.

After snatching a late draw against Wigan but not managing to beat the side at the bottom of the table, Reading’s fate was left in the hands of other teams.

The Royals have picked up 44 points from 13 wins, 11 draws and 21 defeats after being deducted six points.

Meanwhile, Neil Warnock’s side have 47 points before their

Thursday night match with 12 wins, 11 draws and 21 losses.

Warnock took over from Mark Fotheringham as Huddersfield boss in February to help the team in their fight against relegation.

Warnock holds the record for the most games ever managed in the English Football League and made the decision to return to the Terriers more than two decades after first managing them.

The club were in the relegation zone when he took charge, but the experienced boss has managed to weave his magic to give them hope of survival.

The reverse fixture between the teams in October was won 3-1 by the Royals at the Select Car

Leasing Stadium.

Goals from Tom McIntyre and Yakou Meite, as well as an own goal from Lee Nicholls, helped Reading continue their superb start to the season under Ince.

However, results have turned dramatically since then with Reading going on a dismal run, scaling down the league table as a result.

Reading’s last visit to the John Smith’s Stadium in August 2021 ended in a 4-0 defeat.