This weekend Neil Warnock and his management team are looking for a reaction to the Carling Cup disappointment when they visit Reading, the side only relegated from the top flight on the last day of the season.

The midweek cup disappointment will be a major motivation for the players as they take the field at The Madjeski as they look to return to winning ways against one of the sides favourites for an immediate return to the Premiership.

Reading manager Steve Coppell will be without defender Michael Duberry for the visit of the Eagles on Saturday. The defender suffered a calf injury in the midweek win over Luton and will be out for a month. Coppell's side themselves will be looking to bounce back in the league after suffering a 4-2 defeat in south London at Charlton last weekend.

Centre-half Ibrahima Sonko joined Stoke City on Friday afternoon but the side will be boosted by the debut of defender Chris Armstrong at left-back following his £800,000 move from Sheffield United.

Ex eagle Stephen Hunt will start the game for the Royals whilst his younger brother Noel will be pushing for a place in the eleven in attack after a brace against Luton but captain Graeme Murty (calf), Marek Matejovsky (ankle), Brynjar Gunnarsson (knee) and Sam Sodje (knee) are all still unavailable.

Two players who missed the defeat at Elland Road are once again available as midfielder Shaun Derry and striker James Scowcroft both return from suspension.

Sean Scannell with a back injury will be racing against the clock to be fit for this one after missing the last two weeks.

First team coach Keith Curle has been pleased with the two training sessions since the the trip to Leeds but knows that the players will have to be at their best for the trip down the M4. "We identified things that we weren't happy with to the players and then were back into focusing on Saturday.

"Out on the field there is nowhere to hide no matter what. It's a local derby and there's going to be a massive crowd.

"We know we have got to go there and we have got to perform, simple as that, if we don't perform we will get rolled over."

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee : Mr C Penton

Asst Referees : Mr D Belbin - Mr D K Rock

4th Official - S Creighton.

LIVE COMMENTARY

Don't forget you can hear LIVE match commentary from Reading by listening into Palace World - CLICK HERE for further details

BET ON A PALACE WIN

CLICK HERE  for all the latest odds on the game.