Although Reading are at risk of suffering back-to-back relegations, the club’s ownership situation has dominated headlines in the last couple of weeks.
Their recent home game against Port Vale was abandoned in the 16th minute after supporters invaded the pitch in protest against the club’s owner, Dai Yongge.
The English Football League have since told Dai that he must “fund the club adequately” or “make immediate arrangements to sell”, but with a takeover yet to be completed, Reading boss Ruben Selles must do his best to focus his attention on matters on the pitch.
Selles saw his side fall to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, bringing an end to their six-game unbeaten league run and leaving them four points adrift of safety.
While they are preparing for a tough test on Tuesday, the Royals can take confidence from the fact that they have won their last two home matches.
After winning back-to-back league games against Fleetwood Town and Burton Albion, Derby would have been disappointed to play out a goalless draw in Saturday’s away clash with Lincoln City.
However, Paul Warne can be pleased with his side’s overall form, having seen his team lose just one of their previous 13 league matches (W10, D2).
With the Rams proving to be a tough team to beat, they are currently sitting two points behind second-placed Peterborough and three points adrift of leaders Portsmouth.
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Due to their superior goal difference compared to Pompey, Derby will move to the top of the table if they can claim their 10th away win of the League One season.
Having scored more away goals than any team in the division, the Rams will fancy their chances of troubling a Reading side that currently has the third-worst defensive record in the third tier.
Reading are unable to call upon defender Nelson Abbey, who is on the verge of completing a move away from the club.After coming back into the side on Saturday, Tom Holmes will retain his place in central defence
alongside Tyler Bindon.Having scored six goals in 15 league appearances, Sam Smith will continue to spearhead the Reading attack in Tuesday’s home fixture.As for the Rams, they are expected to be without the injured quartet of Jake Rooney, Craig Forsyth, Martyn Waghorn and Conor Washington.
