READING manager Mark Bowen provided injury updates to key members of his squad ahead of the Royals’ test against Birmingham City at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
“From the weekend Ovie Ejaria had a bug and we knew it’d be two or three days. He travelled with us but didn’t sleep well so he went back Saturday morning. But he’s well now and fit, trained this morning and is ready to go,” said Bowen.
“I’m pleased to say Sam Baldock had his first full training session today so yes he is in my thoughts for the weekend, but with the number of games coming up we need to make sure he’s 100%.
“And I know what Sam is like, he wants to play every game, he’s had a fractured season so he’s pushing to start, but he’s in my thoughts.
“John (Swift) will be probably another three weeks, he had a grade two groin strain, depending if he’s a quick healer we might be able to nick a week back on that.
“Tom McIntyre is back in training, he will probably play for the under 23’s on the weekend to get some game time.
“Lucas Joao came on at the weekend and did well so hes in my thoughts for the weekend.
“The games we’ve got coming up, we need to make sure the squad players are ready to go when called on. The shining example was that of Chris Gunter in the Leeds game, he showed what a good pro he is and the work the staff had done with him to make sure he was ready physically and mentally.
“Jordan Obita is a no. hes had fractured preparation and wasn’t involved last Saturday because we wanted him to have a full week going into it, and this week he’s had a a bit of a stomach bug but we expect him to be back in training tomorrow.”
Bowen insisted that his squad are ready to nullify the threats that Birmingham will pose on Saturday as they look to build on their 3-1 away win at Wigan Athletic after George Puscas’ stunning hat-trick.
“Birmingham are always difficult to beat, I know them well, I spent a couple of years there and the demands put on the team by the crowd, they expect them to perform and give their all in every game.
“They have threats of the big lad Jutkiewicz up front who can mix it up so we have to be on our guard for that. We expect them to line up in the traditional 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 We’re working out how we can be a threat against them but also being wary of the threat they pose.
“I was really angry at half time on Saturday. I didn’t think we showed enough quality and braveness in the first half to play our game. We’re getting the other side of the game right in terms of desire and tackles, but first and foremost we want to play football and score goals and I think we lacked that little bit of quality.
“We got away with it a bit, we got the penalty at the right time and that got a bit more confident. I’m delighted for George Puscas, when the penalty was given, one or two wondered if somebody else should take it, but for me it was a no brainer, he had to take it.
“I had everything crossed and was saying a prayer that it went in, sometimes you have to stick with players and show you have belief and confidence in them.
” He’s been back in Romania this week, I wanted him to be back and training every day and seeing the confidence so today is the first time I’ve seen him all week but he’s back with a smile on his face and is ready to go.
“I’ll be honest with you, I can’t say there was no doubt in my mind about starting him because I’ve got to put a team out that produce results. You fight over decisions in your mind. You have doubts but knowing he a young player in a different country, he deserves extra patience and hopefully now he can keep rewarding us all.
“If you can win games when you’re not playing well, its a fantastic trait to have but we’ve got to work harder on our concentration and getting both sides of the game right. We saw it at Luton when we had it in both sides, we will continually work to make sure the balance is right.
“I’m not stuck with any certain formation, we play how we’re going to hurt the opposition best. I would change the formation 15 minutes into a game if I thought it warranted it and would make a difference to us.
“Three wins is the target. It might be putting added pressure on them, but I personally make us favourites for every game. We’ve got to make sure we take the game to them and try and win which is a different mentality.”
The Welsh manager also spoke about midfielder Charlie Adam’s delighted reaction to Reading drawing his former side Blackpool in the FA Cup third round, and praised his cameo performance against Wigan.
“It was a glamour tie for Charlie Adam, it’s the dream tie for him and I have no doubt he will be banging on my door and giving an extra percentage in training to make sure he starts.first of all we want a home game, and if you want to go on, miss out the big boys. For us it’s a decent draw.
“Charlie has had a difficult year, he came and thought he’d play a lot more football but it hasn’t quite worked out for him. He’ll play a big part for us, I look at him as one of the best passers of the ball we’ve got in the club.
“You get to the stage like last week when you look for a bit more quality and at any given time hes got the passing range to pick strikers out. Hes got to make sure hes ready when called upon and mentally well to effect the game.
