READING FC are on a mission to end a run of seven League One games without victory when they host Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
Reading’s miserable run of form has seen them slip down to the bottom of the table as off-field issues have been coupled with poor results on the pitch.
Ruben Selles’ team did manage to get back to winning ways at the weekend in their FA Cup tie with MK Dons as they defeated the League Two side in the first-round of the competition.
Having impressed in multiple cup performances, the Royals now need to translate that form into the league to try and escape the relegation zone.
Reading’s midweek opponents are currently in 15th spot in the table, 13 points above the Royals and have recently opted for a change in management after sacking previous boss Joey Barton.
The Pirates are yet to appoint a permanent replacement with Andy Mangan in interim charge.
Rovers have managed to win both of their games with Mangan in the hot seat. They picked up three points in the league with a 2-1 success at home against Northampton Town before they thumped non-league Whitby Town 7-2 in the first-round of the FA Cup.
Reading’s last meeting with Bristol Rovers occurred more than two decades ago when they faced each other in League Division 2 in January 2001.
The Royals took all three points that day as Jamie Cureton netted the only goal of the game for Alan Pardew’s side.
Despite not facing each other in the last 20 years, Reading are unbeaten in their last five matches with the Gas.
Defender Amadou Mbengue will face the second of his three match suspension and will be unavailable, while Tom McIntyre is still recovering from a muscle injury.
Predicted Reading line-up: Button, Yiadom, Abbey, Dean, Guinness-Walker, Craig, Savage, Wing, Elliott, Knibbs, Smith
