Reading vs Birmingham - Reading to check on midfielder Liam Kelly

Posted Monday, January 01, 2018 by PA

Reading will check on midfielder Liam Kelly ahead of the visit of Sky Bet Championship strugglers Birmingham.

Kelly missed both the Boxing Day defeat at Bristol City and Saturday's draw at Barnsley, where John Swift and Garath McCleary returned to the starting line-up along with defender Tyler Blackett.

Striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson could be in contention after coming off the bench for the closing stages, but winger Callum Harriott (hamstring) remains unlikely to be involved.

Forward Joseph Mendes and midfielder Stephen Quinn (both knee) are also still in rehabilitation, while defender Jordan Obita is out for the season after surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.

Birmingham have no fresh injury worries as they look to climb off the bottom of the table.

Che Adams (hamstring) and Isaac Vassell (knee) remain sidelined for Steve Cotterill's side.

Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson remains is out a he continues to recover from a shoulder injury he suffered in August.

Record signing Jota is pushing to start after earning praise from Cotterill following his cameo off the bench although Marc Roberts will be monitored after playing 90 minutes on his comeback from a hamstring injury.