Reading welcome Sunderland to the Madejski Stadium having climbed out of the bottom three after their dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea in midweek.
Republic of Ireland international Noel Hunt faces a late fitness test for Reading, while Jason Roberts (hip) will play no part.
The striker missed the comeback draw against Chelsea in midweek with an unspecified knock and is again a doubt for manager Brian McDermott.
McDermott must decide whether or not to promote Adam Le Fondre to the starting line-up. The striker again impressed off the bench against Chelsea, scoring twice for the second successive league game - but McDermott has stressed his best role is presently as a substitute.
Striker Danny Graham will go straight into the Sunderland squad after completing a ?5million switch from Swansea.
Graham was due to train with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday and is likely to be included alongside defenders Carlos Cuellar and Danny Rose, who could return from hamstring injuries.
Skipper Lee Cattermole will remain on the sidelines after aggravating his knee problem on his return to training, while striker Louis Saha has left the club after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
