Reading vs Manchester City Preview - Akpan gives Royals Hope

Posted Tuesday, May 14, 2013 by PA

Reading could welcome midfielder Hope Akpan back into their squad.

The 21-year-old has missed the last four games with an ankle injury but could struggle to force his way into Nigel Adkins' starting line-up following last weekend's 4-2 win at Fulham.

Winger Jimmy Kebe (groin) is still sidelined with Adam Federici (ankle) also likely to miss out once again.

City only need a point to secure second place but that might seem the slightest of consolations to them at present after their shock loss to Wigan in Saturday's FA Cup final.

The days since have also been overshadowed by intense speculation over the future of their manager Mancini and the circumstances surrounding the match could make for an awkward atmosphere.

But goalkeeper Alex McCarthy still believes it will be a good occasion and is looking forward to testing himself against City's star players.

He said: "It was a great atmosphere playing up at Man City and on Tuesday it will be a massive game.

"They've got a great squad, a really big one, so every player could cause a problem. It should be a great game."

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is suspended after his sending off in the FA Cup final against Wigan.

City may consider other changes as they look for the point which will secure the consolation of second spot after their failure to retain the title and Wembley disappointment.

Winger Scott Sinclair in the other notable absentee after surgery to remove a blood clot from his shoulder last week.

Meanwhile City's players must try to recover from the disappointment of Saturday, when they were on the wrong end of one of the great cup upsets, as they prepare to face Reading.

City, who play Norwich in their final game of the season on Sunday, need just one more point to secure second place in the table.

First-team coach David Platt spoke about the match on Saturday evening.

Platt said: "We have two games left, we have to pick ourselves up for the game against Reading.

"That is what we are about, we are professional footballers.

"It is hard to get back after you get to a final, and you get all the way - you want to win it.

"We won it two years ago, the feelings are quite profound.

"We have got two games to go and we owe it to everybody, the fans and the football club, to put it behind us as quickly as we can.

"We need to go out and win two football matches between now and the end of the season."