Roberts out for Reading

Striker Jason Roberts will sit out Reading’s clash with Chelsea tomorrow, while manager Brian McDermott has a concern over the fitness of Noel Hunt.

Roberts has a hip problem while forward Hunt picked up an unspecified knock in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Sheffield United.

McDermott, who confirmed he was waiting to hear back from Blackpool regarding a bid for Thomas Ince, is unlikely to play new signing Daniel Carrico as he comes to terms with life in England.

Provisional squad: Federici, Ugwu, Taylor, Gunter, Kelly, Cummings, Pearce, Morrison, Mariappa, Shorey, Harte, McAnuff, Carrico, Tabb, Karacan, Kebe, McCleary, Robson-Kanu, Leigertwood, Le Fondre, Hunt, Pogrebnyak, Akpan.