PREVIEW: Preston v Reading FC &#8211; Royals seek first win of the season

Rock-bottom Reading will be seeking a first win at Deepdale in nine years as they aim to kick-start their Championship campaign.

The Royals went into the international break winless and with only two points from their first six games.

And they face an historically tricky trip to Preston, where they have lost on each of their last three visits without scoring.

Paul Clement insists there are no problems behind the scenes at Reading

Form

Like Reading, Preston have made a slow start to the season. Alex Neil’s men have just one win to their name after defeating QPR 1-0 on the opening day.

They’ve collected just two points since and sit 19th in the table, but do remain in the Carabao Cup after knocking out both Morecambe and Leeds.

Reading FC confirm first pre-season friendly of the summer

Reading FC face battle for transfer target as Oxford United move ahead

Reading can take some comfort from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last two away games, drawing at both Blackburn and Aston Villa.

Team news

Reading will make a late call on David Meyler, who returned from international duty with Ireland with a small knock.

Elsewhere, Adrian Popa is unavailable with an ankle injury while Dave Edwards is still facing a few months on the sidelines after complications with a knee ligament damage.

David Meyler could miss out through injury

Garath McCleary, Callum Harriott and Jordan Obita are all closing in on returns but won’t be involved at Deepdale. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is available again after recovering from illness and featuring twice for Iceland in the past couple of weeks.

New signing Saeid Ezatolahi won’t make the trip as he finalises his visa issues to move to England.

Preston face a selection dilemma in midfield with both Ben Pearson and Ryan Ledson both suspended.

Alan Browne and Lukas Nmecha will face late fitness tests but Calum Woods, Billy Bodin and Sean Maguire are all ruled out.

What they said

Paul Clement: “Preston are a decent side. They’ve got a lot of movement, make a lot of passes and they’re a dangerous, dangerous side.

“We’re going to have to defend really well.

“But I also think that we’ve got enough in our team to hurt them.

“In our last two away games we did OK. Going away from home I think we’re confident.

Paul Clement says Reading will need to defend well

“There’s a lot of belief that we’re going to do well. The next six games are very important.

“The first six have not gone well, there’s no reason why this six can’t go well assuming that we’re working hard, preparing well and we show that positivity and belief.

“I’m very conscious that because of the narrow margins, what it doesn’t need is massive wholesale changes.

“We’ve got an idea of how we’re going to play, maybe there will be some slight tactical changes, maybe there will be some small changes in terms of personnel to make that difference.”

COLUMN: Matchdays at Mad Stad feels like Groundhog Day

Alex Neil: “It’s a crucial game for us in terms of hopefully getting three points on the board.

“At the moment I am searching for a solution a little bit. Our last two games in the cup and the league have been a win and a draw so we should be going into this game with more confidence than what we have done.

“I think Reading are going to be a really competitive team. I think they’ve only got two points on the board but I don’t think it’s a fair reflection on how well they have played.

“I am sure everybody watched the Derby game at the start of the season which I thought they should have won quite comfortably and a lot of the other games, they have been well in the games.

“They are a bit like ourselves in that fine margins have maybe cost them points in terms of not taking an opportunity when it arises and then being punished on the counter attack.”