Preston North End Vs Reading Match Preview

By Mark Sugar
January 2 2004

Its FA Cup weekend as the Royals face a long trip to Deepdale to face Craig Brown's Preston.Both teams will be looking to win because of the decent prize money available to the winners and also a big tie in the 4th Round.Both teams have been doing well in the league so it makes for a good game.

Preston North End Vs Reading
Saturday,3rd December
Kick Off 15:00

Team News
The Royals face a number of injuries and problems as they travel to Deepdale.Out for Reading is new strikers Dave Kitson and Lloyd Owusu.Both are cup tied which means they cannot play in any future Cup Games this season.
Andy Hughes is doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury.
Also,2 more players are doubtful for Reading after getting knock's but Steve Coppell wants to keep North End boss Craig Brown guessing who they are.
But striker Shaun Goater is back in contention after undergoing surgery back in November.He is likely to take the place of Lloyd Owusu.
Ricky Newman and James Harper look to set to continue after starting against Walsall which means Kevin Watson looks likely to stay on the bench.
Darius Henderson has played his last game in a Reading shirt after signing for Gillingham today.
Reading won't be relying on the services of Nathan Tyson and Jamie Ashdown as they are both out on loan at Wycombe and Rushden & Diamonds.

Preston have serious injuries worries with up to 8 players possibly missing.
Definetely out is Richard Cresswell who is suspended,while Lee Briscoe,Rob Edward and George Koumantarakis are long term injury victims.
Marlon Broomes has a hamstring injury and his place looked likely to go to Claude Davis,but he is doubtful aswell.But PNE fans will be hopefull highly rated striker Ricardo Fuller is fit after having tonsilitis.

KEY PLAYER FOR PRESTON:RICARDO FULLER

Form Guide
Reading picked up a good point last Sunday when they drew with Walsall at the Bescot Stadium thanks to a superb Nicky Shorey free kick.
Preston were held 0-0 by Crewe.They missed an injury time penalty.

Previous Meetings
18/10/2003 Reading 3-1 Preston
15/04/2003 Reading 5-1 Preston
26/10/2002 Preston 1-0 Reading
05/02/2000 Preston 2-2 Reading
01/09/1999 Reading 2-2 Preston
20/02/1999 Reading 2-1 Preston
12/09/1998 Preston 4-0 Reading
20/02/1993 Reading 4-0 Preston
20/10/1992 Preston 2-0 Reading

Thanks to www.soccer-stats for the information

Ticket News and Travel
Tickets are priced at £16 Adults,Over 65's and Full time students £11,Under 16's £5.For disabled supporters,wheelchair enclosure £9,carers £9.
STAR and Young Royals coaches leaving the Madejski Stadium at 8:15am and Station Hill at 8:30am.

FA Cup Fixtures
Sat Jan 03 2004 (15:00 Kick Off unless stated)

Tranmere vs Bolton 12:00
Cardiff City vs Sheff Utd 12:00
Watford vs Chelsea 12:30
Accrington vs Colchester
Ipswich Town vs Derby County
Kidderminster vs Wolves
Man City vs Leicester City
Mansfield Town vs Burnley
Middlesbrough vs Notts County
Millwall vs Walsall
Northampton vs Rotherham Utd
Nottm Forest vs West Brom
Portsmouth vs Blackpool
Preston vs Reading
Barnsley vs Scunthorpe Utd
Southend Utd vs Scarborough
Sunderland vs Hartlepool
Swansea City vs Macclesfield
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
Wigan Athletic vs West Ham Utd
Wimbledon vs Stoke City
Birmingham vs Blackburn
Bradford City vs Luton Town
Coventry City vs Peterborough
Crewe vs Telford
Everton vs Norwich
Gillingham vs Charlton
Southampton vs Newcastle 17:35

Sun Jan 04 2004
FA Cup Third Round
Aston Villa vs Man Utd 12:30
Yeovil vs Liverpool 13:00
Fulham vs Cheltenham 14:00
Leeds United vs Arsenal 16:05

The draw for the 4th Round to be made Monday,5th January at 1pm.This can be seen on BBC 2 and Sky Sports News,Channel 408 or be heard live on BBC Radio 5Live 909 or 693 mw