By Mark Sugar
April 6 2004

Reading Captain Adie Williams and striker Nicky Forster are set for a return from injuries in tomorrow's Reserve game fixture against Steve Coppell's old side Brighton and Hove Albion at the Madejski Stadium in the Pontius Holiday League match.

Things are looking good for Reading manager Steve Coppell at the moment. 2 wins in the last 2 games against very good opposition and an injury crisis which is slowly disappearing which will please the manager and supporters as they look to cement a Playoff place in the last few weeks of the season.

Tomorrow Royals skipper Adie Williams and striker Nicky Forster will continue their comebacks from surgery as they will start the Pontius Reserve League match against Steve Coppell's former side Brighton and Hove Albion at the Madejski Stadium, kick off 14:00pm.

Wales International Williams has been out for just under a month now with a knee injury sustained in the 0-0 draw with Stoke City which required surgery. Williams though will have to earn his place back in the side once match fit. At the moment Ricky Newman and Ivar Ingimarrson are in fantastic form and Williams may have to settle for a place on the bench. Steve Coppell will be delighted by his return as ex Charlton captain Steve Brown is out for the rest of the season with a swollen knee sustained in the humiliating 5-1 defeat to Ronnie Moore's Rotherham United.

Forster's injury has been more serious, with the star striker suffering a stomach injury after pretty much leading the Royals attack by himself for the past 2 seasons. The striker first started struggling with the injury just into the the new year and despite making 1 appearance, which was in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Forster hasn't featured for Reading since. Despite being told surgery wasn't an option at the time, surgery was required in the end after no progress was being made. His return will certainly require Steve Coppell to stack up on the headache tablets for the next few weeks as he already has 4 fit striker's. With Dave Kitson and Dean Morgan in fine form and showing they potentially are the best partnership, and Lloyd Owusu and Shaun Goater pushing for a place, Forster might have to wait patiently until a scenario pops up.

Its remarkable progress made by Steve Coppell that before his time as Reading manager, it would have been impossible to imagine a Royals team not needing Forster. He has been crucial in the last 2 seasons. Forster has been linked with moves away from the Madejski Stadium this season, with Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United suppose to be showing an interest in the former Birmingham City player.

With the pair back from injury, only Nicky Shorey, Marcus Hahnemann and Steve Brown are still on the casualty list. Shorey and Brown won't play again this season while Hahnemann is still at least a  week away from a return. But Hahnemann like Forster and Williams will have to wait patiently for his chance. Reserve goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown has proved he is more than capable of filling into the Big Yank's boots.

But its problems manager Steve Coppell would rather have.

Admission to the reserve game is free for Season Ticket Holder and Young Royals. But if you don't apply for either of these categories then its £4 for Adults and £2 concessions.

Kelvin Jack, Kevin Watson, Dean Gordon and Lloyd Owusu are in the starting line-up as they look to secure the title for Brian McDermott after an impressive season.