A place in the second round of the Carabao Cup is up for grabs this evening.
READING V GILLINGHAM
Carabao Cup First Round
Madejski Stadium
Tuesday August 8
Kick-off, 8pm
Team News:
Billy Bingham (foot) and Lee Martin (knee) will both be assessed prior to Tuesday night’s game. The duo had to visit the treatment room following Saturday’s draw at Doncaster and the management might be tempted to give them time to rest.
Alex Lacey (knee) is unlikely to be risked while Stuart Nelson could be in contention to return to the squad. Aaron Morris (knee) remains out of action.
Manager Comments:
Ady Pennock – “The league is the most important, of course it is but when you go to places like Reading we don’t want to let ourselves down. I’d love a cup run, I really would but it’s a good occasion for us and we’ll see who is going to be fit, not going to be fit and go from there.”
Jaap Stam – “Gillingham are the team that we're playing, it's not a team that's going to say 'we're only coming here to defend, let's see how it goes,' they're coming to get a result as well, which is normal.
"We want to win as well, by winning games the confidence is getting higher and getting bigger and bigger, so that's what we need to do."
Last time we met:
The teams last clashed on New Years’ Day in 2005 when a 0-0 draw was played out at MEMS Priestfield Stadium. In the reverse fixture the previous September it was Reading who took maximum points thanks to a first-half Dave Kitson hat-trick.
Darren Byfield grabbed a consolation shortly after the interval.
In total the sides have met on 101 occasions with the Royals narrowly ahead on the head-to-head statistics. Reading have won 42 games to Gills 38.
Tickets:
Fans can no longer buy tickets from the club; they can pay on the gate at the stadium however there is a price increase after 5pm.
Adult: £7 (£10)
65 and over: £5 (£10)
18-24: £5 (£10)
17 and under: £1 (£5)
Officials:
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Assistants: Kevin Morris and Andrew Aylott
Fourth Official: Michael Webb
SAT NAV: RG2 0FL
Please be aware that extra-time will be played if the scores are level after 90 minutes. If the teams still cannot be separated the winner will be decided via penalty kicks.