New Reading signings Daniel Carrico and Hope Akpan are poised to make their debuts against West Brom on Saturday.
Jason Roberts continues to be troubled by a hip problem, while Hal Robson-Kanu is a doubt with a knee injury. Mikele Leigertwood could also miss out with an unspecified knock.
Alex McCarthy is making encouraging progress following shoulder surgery and should return before the end of the season.
West Brom winger Jerome Thomas is in contention to replace long-term knee injury victim Zoltan Gera at the Madejski Stadium.
Thomas proved his fitness after an injury-hit start to the season during a loan spell at Leeds and appeared as a substitute during the Baggies' FA Cup tie at QPR last weekend.
Defenders Jonas Olsson (groin), Steven Reid (ankle) and Goran Popov (hamstring) plus midfielder Claudio Yacob (hamstring) remain doubtful while Youssouf Mulumbu is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with DR Congo.
