MATCH PREVIEW BY: Mark Thomas

Bryan Robson’s men travel to the Madejski Stadium hoping to clinch a fourth round home tie against either Birmingham City or Torquay United.

With the Albion squad now down to it’s bare bones, it’s sure to be a tough test against the runaway Championship leaders, even if they do, as expected rest a number of key players.

With the Baggies missing a number of key men it could open up the opportunity for one or two of the younger members of the squad. Richard Chaplow and Rob Davies, who were both on the bench for Sunday’s game at Wigan could be handed starts if Robson decides to rest his normal midfield pairing of Ronnie Wallwork and Junichi Inamoto.

Up front Albion are seriously stretched with Diomansy Kamara and Kanu both out and Geoff Horsfield doubtful. With Kevin Campbell having played the majority of Sunday’s game he could be rested which may give Rob Earnshaw the chance to prove his boss wrong.

The win at Wigan should instil some much needed confidence into the team but most money will be on Steve Coppell’s side to clinch a spot in the next round.

I’m going for a 2-1 home win.

COME ON YOU BAGGIES!!!

ALBION

The Baggies' are definitely without defenders Neil Clement and Thomas Gaardsoe through injury whilst Darren Moore is missing due to suspension. Diomansy Kamara is unavailable due to African Nations Cup action. Zoltan Gera and Kanu are also missing whilst Geoff Horsfield is rated doubtful.

Possible Line-up: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Davies, Watson, Robinson, Carter, Wallwork, Inamoto, Greening, Ellington, Earnshaw.

READING

Influential midfielder Steve Sidwell should return after illness but Ibrahima Sonka is a doubt. Steve Coppell looks likely to rest a number of key players for the clash with Leroy Lita looking set for his first start since December 3.

Possible Line-up: Stack, Murty, Shorey, Makin, Ingimarsson, Oster, Sidwell, Harper, Convey, Lita, Long.

THIS SEASON

Reading currently lead the Coca-Cola Championship with 72 points from 29 games. Dave Kitson is the club's leading scorer with 17 league and cup goals. The Royals have lost just two games all season and have now gone 28 league games unbeaten. Their last match saw them defeat Coventry City 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium. Steve Coppell's men were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal in the fourth round.

LAST SEASON

The Royals finished 7th in the Coca-Cola Championship with 70 points. They were beaten in the FA Cup fourth round by Leicester City and were beaten in the Carling Cup second round by Watford. Dave Kitson finished the season as the club's leading scorer with 19 league and cup goals.

ONES TO WATCH

Dave Kitson - Tall and quick striker who is good in the air and deadly in front of goal.

Steve Sidwell - Ex-Arsenal youth player who is reportedly being watched by a number of Premiership clubs. A tough tackling and skilful midfielder with an eye for goal.

Glen Little - Very skilful and tricky winger. A key member of Steve Coppell's team.

LAST MEETING AT THE MADEJSKI STADIUM

Reading 1-0 Albion
Saturday 1st May 2004
Nationwide League Division One
Kick-off 3:00pm

Reading: Ashdown, Murty, Williams, Newman, Hughes, Savage (Morgan 65), Sidwell, Harper, Salako (Gordon 45), Kitson, Goater (Brooker 65). Subs not used: Hahnemann, Owusu

Goalscorer: Sidwell 88

Promoted West Bromwich Albion all but conceded the First Division championship to leaders Norwich as they slipped to defeat at Reading courtesy of Steve Sidwell's strike just two minutes from time. The Royals midfielder drilled home a right-footed in the bottom left-hand corner from 25 yards out to condemn the Baggies to defeat and boost his own side's faint hopes of gatecrashing the top six. Gary Megson's side will now require a remarkable turnaround in fortune if they are to rescue the top prize from the Canaries next Sunday. With two games now remaining, the Baggies lie five points behind Norwich, which will surely ensure the title heads to East Anglia and not The Hawthorns.

Indeed, the Baggies were punished for their insipid display as the Royals began the brighter of the two sides at the Madjeski Stadium. John Salako's dangerous cross in the first minute forced Russell Hoult to punch clear, which served as an early warning sign for the visitors. Just seconds later, Shaun Goater's audacious overhead kick right-footed from the edge of the box was easily dealt with the Baggies keeper. Albion striker Lee Hughes then fired a right-footed effort wide when well placed wide before the Baggies' Ricky Newman and the Royals' James Chambers were booked in separate incidents for unsporting behaviour. But after a balanced opening period, it was the home side who began to dominate. Indeed, with James Harper orchestrating the play from the heart of the Royals' midfield, it was almost impossible to distinguish which of the sides will be playing Premiership football next season. Harper's intricate probings against an Albion midfield bereft of key duo Andy Johnson and Jason Koumas - rested and suspended respectively - became an increasingly telling factor. However, neither Goater nor his strike partner Dave Kitson could benefit, while the Baggies' James O'Connor was booked - also for unsporting behaviour - just minutes before the interval as frustrations grew within both camps.

The malaise of the opening period saw both managers make changes at half-time, with Dean Gordon replacing John Salako on the Royals' left-flank, while Scott Dobie replaced the ineffectual Geoff Horsfield up front for the Baggies. The home side began to press home and Kitson drilled a diagonal right-footed effort wide from the right side of the 18-yard box, which forced Hoult to tip the ball over and make a fantastic save. It was a fierce effort from the Royals striker, who prior to the match had hit out at the club and supporters for organising a "ginger day" tribute for the fixture against the Baggies. Fans had planned to wear ginger wigs and orange t-shirts as a tribute to flame-haired Kitson and his ginger-haired team-mate and goalscorer Sidwell. Inspired, frustrated or angry, it was the two ginger-headed players who began to emerge as key figures for the home side, as the threat of Hughes for the visitors was all but nullified. The Baggies striker was duly replaced after 53 minutes by Artim Sakiri as Megson went in search of a formula to break the home rearguard. None was forthcoming, however, and with just two minutes remaining, Sidwell's strike proved decisive.