By Mark Sugar
March 25 2004

Reading travel to Highfield Road to take on Eric Black's Coventry City in another major promotion clash. The Royals lie in 9th place with Coventry 10th and a win for either side will put pressure on the teams above. A draw won't be good for either side.

Coventry City Vs Reading
Saturday,27th March 2004
Nationwide League Division 1
Highfield Road, Coventry
Kick Off 15:00pm

Team News
The Royals will be without new loan signing Dean Gordon who has signed from our next opposition, Coventry City. The Sky Blues have said that Gordon isn't allowed to play any part in the match. His suspension adds to Steve Coppell's worries. He must do without the services of Marcus Hahnemann who is still recovering from a medial knee ligament injury. Jamie Ashdown will continue in goal with Jamie Young on the bench. Also missing will be Nicky Shorey, who has a foot infection. Ricky Newman will continue at left back. The biggest worry is the centre back positions. Adie Williams is definitely out after undergoing knee surgery. Steve Brown is also a big doubt with a swollen knee. That leaves Ivar Ingimarrson as the only fit centre half. Should Brown not make it, Steve Coppell might possibly have to play Greame Murty as centre back with Andy Hughes slotting in the right back role leaving a possibly entry to Paul Brooker on right wing. On a positive note, Kevin Watson is fit again after completing 90 minutes for the reserves in the 4-1 victory over Cambridge. Nicky Forster is highly unlikely to play on Saturday with a stomach muscle injury. He will hopefully be back for the visit of Alan Pardew's West Ham United. Lloyd Owusu serves the final of a 3 game bam for a red card he received in the 2-1 defeat to Preston North End, therefore Dave Kitson should continue to partner Shaun Goater up front with Dean Morgan on the bench. New signing Kelvin Jack won't feature on Saturday. He is being lined up for the next reserve game.

Coventry City team news to be confirmed.

Key player for Coventry City: Julian Joachim

Coventry City Goal Scorer's:

Name	League	FA Cup	Carling Cup	Other	Total
Julian Joachim	6	3	0	0	9
Gary McSheffrey	7	1	0	0	8
Andy Morrell	7	0	0	0	7
Patrick Suffo	6	0	0	0	6
Steve Staunton	3	0	0	0	3
Graham Barrett	2	0	1	0	3
Dele Adebola	2	0	1	0	3
Michael Doyle	3	0	0	0	3
Gary McAllister	3	0	0	0	3
Bjarni Gudjonsson	3	0	0	0	3
Stephen Warnock	3	0	0	0	3
Mo Konjic	1	0	0	0	1
Craig Pead	1	0	0	0	1

Referee: Alan Butler (Nottinghamsire)

Form Guide
The Royals suffered a 2-0 home defeat last Saturday against fellow promotion rivals Sunderland. 2 quick goals from Darren Byfield and Tommy Smith sent the Black Cats home with 3 points.

Coventry suffered a 2-1 defeat against fellow promotion rivals Wigan Athleitc. Jason Roberts gave the Latics the lead and they soon made it 2 thanks to Jason Roberts again. But a Stephen Warnock goal wasn't enough for City.

Previous Meetings

20/09/2003 Reading 1-2 Coventry City
26/12/2002 Coventry City 2-0 Reading
17/08/2002 Reading 1-2 Coventry City

Thanks to www.soccer-stats.com for the above information

Ticket and Travel News

Click here for the Ticket and Travel News for the game

Coventry City Guide

Click here for the Coventry City Guide

Division 1 Fixtures

Saturday 27th March 2004

Bradford City Vs Burnley 15:00
Coventry City Vs Reading 15:00
Norwich Vs Stoke City 15:00
Nottingham Forest Vs Crewe 15:00
Rotherham United Vs Preston North End 15:00
Sunderland Vs Derby County 15:00
Walsall Vs Millwall 15:00
Watford Vs Wigan Athletic 15:00
West Bromwich Albion Vs Crystal Palace 15:00
West Ham United Vs Gillingham 15:00
Wimbledon Vs Ipswich Town 15:00
Cardiff City Vs Sheffield United 17:35

Thanks to www.bbc.co.uk/football for the fixture list

League Table

Current League Positions		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	POINTS
9th	Reading	38	16	9	13	47	51	57
10th	Coventry City	38	14	13	11	53	42	55

Anything Else
Remember to make your Prediction on the Prediction League.

BACK THE BOYS AND MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COME ON URZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!