All you need to know ahead of tonight's game at The Den
Millwall play host to The Royals from Reading tonight hoping to end a run of poor results at The Den for Ian Holloway's side.Both teams find themselves at the wrong end of the Championship, but while The Lions will hope to benefit from a brief rest period, The Royals will be hoping to capitalise on a 2-1 FA Cup victory away at Cardiff over the weekend.
What the managers say
Ian Holloway: "We're going to work some new players into our group and get them playing as a team. My job is to build a better and stronger group and that is what I intend to do. We need to discover that mindset of confidence and belief in what we do." Read more by clicking here.
Steve Clarke: "It's a crucial game for everyone at the club, you can't shy away from that, you must be honest. We have to take the momentum from Cardiff into that one. We had a little unbeaten run going into Fulham, we lost there but I asked the players to pick up again quickly, which they did." Read more by clicking here.
Team news
Following a major overhaul for the meeting with Ipswich Town last time out, manager Ian Holloway will be looking to make yet more additions to a squad which, despite going down 3-1 to the Tractor boys, showed a much-improved performance.
With Andy Wilkinson homeward bound after the completion of his loan period, Holloway could look to draft in new signing Jos Hooiveld to form part of a new-look back four which looks set to include Dan Harding and former Reading right-back Shaun Cummings. Shaun Williams and Mark Beevers are available for selection once again after serving four-game and one-match suspensions respectively.
Magaye Gueye did no harm to his bid for a regular starting berth with a well-taken 42nd-minute goal against Ipswich. But Holloway has been busy during the transfer window and will also be able to call on the services of recent signing Diego Fabbrini following a promising debut against The Tractor Boys, whilst Paris Cowan-Hall, who has made a return to training after his calf injury, is looking to make his first Millwall appearance.
Since Steve Clarke took over at The Madejski stadium, The Royals have lost only two of their last seven matches and will be looking to prolong that run of good form. However, a quick sequence of games has taken its toll and recent injuries may throw a spanner in The Royals' works. Defender Chris Gunter twisted an ankle during Saturday's FA Cup win against Cardiff City, while midfielder Danny Guthrie will be doubtful after a groin strain picked up during training.
Head-to-head
Tonight's meeting will be the 98th in all competitions between the two teams and The Lions' recent record against Reading does not make for comfortable reading. Despite a few draws punctuating a lengthy list of encounters, you need to go back to August 2004 for the last time Millwall triumphed over The Royals.
Since Steve Clarke took over at The Madejski stadium, The Royals have lost only two of their last seven matches and will be looking to prolong that run of good form. However, a quick sequence of games has taken its toll and recent injuries may throw a spanner in The Royals' works. Defender Chris Gunter twisted an ankle during Saturday's FA Cup win against Cardiff City, while midfielder Danny Guthrie will be doubtful after a groin strain picked up during training.
Head-to-head
Tonight's meeting will be the 98th in all competitions between the two teams and The Lions' recent record against Reading does not make for comfortable reading. Despite a few draws punctuating a lengthy list of encounters, you need to go back to August 2004 for the last time Millwall triumphed over The Royals.
In total, Reading have won 40 of the previous 97 encounters to Millwall's total of 35, with the remaining 22 fixtures finishing all square.
Coverage
Coverage
Unable to make it to The Den? Tune in to full match commentary on Lions Player from 7.40pm.
We will also cover all the action over on @MillwallFC, the club's official Twitter account. Join the conversation by using #MFCvRFC in your tweets.