Derby County vs Reading - Derby without suspended duo for Reading visit

Posted Friday, January 20, 2017 by PA

Derby will be without the suspended Bradley Johnson against fellow Sky Bet Championship play-off hopefuls Reading.

Johnson was sent off during the defeat at Leeds last week and he will serve a one-match ban while fellow midfielder Jacob Butterfield completes his enforced three-game absence for his red card at Norwich on January 2.

Marcus Olsson (hamstring) Ikechi Anya (hamstring) and Cyrus Christie (foot) have resumed training but Saturday might be too soon for them to return so defensive midfielder Jamie Hanson may continue to fill in at left-back.

Max Lowe remains a couple of weeks away from a return to training while forward Andreas Weimann has left the iPro Stadium to join rivals Wolves on loan.

Reading's new signing Tiago Ilori is expected to go straight into the squad this weekend.

The 23-year-old defender joined the Royals from Liverpool on Wednesday on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Paul McShane remains a doubt for Reading after missing the past two games due to a wrist injury and manager Jaap Stam has not disclosed the extent of his injury.

Winger Callum Harriott (hamstring injury), midfielder Stephen Quinn (knee) and striker Deniss Rakels (ankle) remain sidelined.