ROYALS HOST RELEGATION RIVALS IN MUST-WIN GAME FOR SURVIVAL
The Royals go into the game on the back of successive defeats which leaves them five points above the drop zone, but with the threat of further points deductions leaving them looking over their shoulders.
Reading sit two places above this weekend’s opponents, but are the same number of points and will be looking to pull away from the U’s, who have a game in hand on the Royals.
Cambridge are in the midst of a tough run of form which has seen them go winless in their last six matches, plunging them deeper into the relegation fight.
The team have netted just twice in their last six games and suffered a thumping Tuesday night defeat at Lincoln City which saw them thrashed 6-0.
Reading now have two players on double figures for goals in League One after Sam Smith netted a fourth goal in four games to take him onto 10 goals, while Harvey Knibbs is also on 10 goals and has six assists.
Despite their faltering recent form, it was Cambirdge who took three points when the teams met at the Cledara Abbey Stadium in September.
The only goal of the game was netted by Fejiri Okenabirhie in the 83rd minute.
Cambridge’s last visit to Reading came in the 2001/02 campaign in League Division 2 with the Royals winning 1-0 courtesy of a James Harper goal.
Royals goalkeeper David Button should be in contention to return after missing the trip to Bolton on Tuesday with illness, while defender Jeriel Dorsett is back available for selection after he was named on the bench on Tuesday.
Skipper Andy Yiadom will miss Saturday’s game as he will serve a one match ban after being controversially sent off at Bolton on Tuesday.