Reading could have to face Preston tomorrow with no central defenders following news that Tom Holmes played the 0-0 draw against Luton Town with a niggle.

Already facing a crisis, with players such as Liam Moore and Scott Dann out long term, Paul Ince's headache grew worse when Tom McIntyre missed the journey to Bedfordshire after his head injury sustained against Burnley was continuing to give him trouble.

Summer signing Sam Hutchinson, who Ince had hoped to have back for the visit of the Lilywhites, is still doubtful to make a return against Ryan Lowe's side.

Reading Chronicle:

Speaking to the media after the 0-0 draw at Kenilworth Road, Ince admitted he was worried about the injuries building up.

"[He is] Doubtful," he said on Hutchinson's availability for Friday. "Tom McIntyre might have a chance. It was a neck injury, but he will train on Thursday and hopefully he will be back on Friday. We could do with the rest, but they dig in and fight.

"I think it’s madness. You’re asking the same players to go to the well. When you’re asking the same players to play four games in 11 days it is unfair. They’re not robots, they’re human beings. I believe if we play the way we can, we can go anywhere and put in a good performance.

Reading Chronicle:

"They’re games we can win so I’m not worries, but I’m worried about injuries. Tom Holmes has a calf soreness at the moment, he did well to last the game, so they’re piling up."