Copell keeps the faith

Steve Coppell named an unchanged side as Reading, on their best run of form this season, look to pull clear of the relegation zone with a victory over Blackburn today.

The Royals come into the game with three wins from their last four Premier League fixtures and five points clear of the dreaded bottom three.

Blackburn captain Ryan Nelson has returned to the side after 10 weeks out with a hamstring problem, replacing Christopher Samba who is suspended after being sent off in the 3-1 win over Wigan last weekend.

Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz has been passed fit after suffering an ankle injury playing for Paraguay against South Africa in midweek.

New signing Johann Vogel has been included on the bench after finally receiving international clearance.

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Oster, Harper, Matejovsky, Hunt, Doyle, Kitson.

Subs: Federici, Cisse, Convey, Long, Duberry.

Blackburn: Friedel, Ooijer, Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts.

Subs: Brown, Vogel, McCarthy, Mokoena, Derbyshire.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.