Reading vs Newcastle - Garath McCleary to be assessed ahead of Newcastle clash

Posted Monday, March 06, 2017 by PA

Reading will assess Garath McCleary ahead of the visit of Sky Bet Championship leaders Newcastle.

The winger did not feature in the squad for Saturday's win over Wolves because of knee and abdominal problems which are being carefully managed.

Romanian international Adrian Popa made his full debut at the weekend, so could retain his place in midfield, while Joey van den Berg and John Swift also started against Wolves.

Jordon Mutch and George Evans are other options for Royals boss Jaap Stam, while Stephen Quinn (knee), Reece Oxford (hamstring), Deniss Rakels (ankle), Callum Harriott (hamstring), Tiago Ilori (knee) and Danzell Gravenberch (ankle) remain out.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is confident striker Dwight Gayle is over his hamstring injury.

Gayle scored his 21st goal of the season as a substitute in Saturday evening's 3-1 win at Huddersfield, but Benitez will make a late assessment as he considers the relative merits of the former Crystal Palace forward, Daryl Murphy, Ayoze Perez and Yoan Gouffran.

The Spaniard has no fresh injury problems with full-back Vurnon Anita now back in the fold after playing the full 90 minutes at the John Smith's Stadium.

Only long-term absentees Isaac Hayden (ankle) and Rolando Aarons are currently unavailable.