Gunnarson misses out again

Reading are likely to be without utility man Brynjar Gunnarsson for tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland as the Iceland international has not trained since suffering a badly-bruised knee injury in the defeat by West Ham on September 1.

The Royals must also check on the fitness of defender Michael Duberry, who has been laid low by illness.

Wingers Glen Little (Achilles) and John Oster (ankle) are still sidelined but new signing Liam Rosenior is hopeful of a debut.

Provisional squad: Hahnemann, Federici, Murty, de la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Duberry, Shorey, Rosenior, Fae, Cisse, Harper, Hunt, Convey, Doyle, Lita, Kitson, Long, Golbourne, Gunnarsson.