Crystal Palace Vs Reading Match Preview

By Mark Sugar
March 4 2004

Steve Coppell returns to Crystal Palace where he bought so much success to the club and will hoping to emulate that with Reading this season.The Royals enter the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Preston North End and the Royals have some injuries and suspensions ahead of the game.

Crystal Palace Vs Reading
Saturday,6th March 2004
Nationwide League Division 1
Selhurst Stadium
Kick Off 15:00pm

Team News
The biggest worry for Reading is who will start the game at right back.1st choice Greame Murty is rated extremley doubtful after suffering a twisted knee in the win over Sheffield United. Ricky Newman is suspended after 5 bookings this season. Steve Brown is still not 100% fit after his swollen knee which means Andy Hughes could play in the position or Scott Murray or possibly a 1st Team debut for Louis Soares,though he has suffered from illness in the last week.
Paul Brooker is expected to start this game though he could be recalled back to Leicester due to the arrest of 8 1st Team Players out in Spain.
Should he not start,former Palace winger John Salako is waiting to reclaim his place.
Kevin Watson isn't fully recovered from a calf injury sustained in training,so James Harper will carry on following his good run.
Shaun Goater could be in for a recall after being dropped for the midweek visit to Preston North End.He is expected to partner Lloyd Owusu up front.
Nicky Forster has visited a specialist today in order to cure a long term stomach injury,so there is no chance he'll be fit for the game on Saturday.
Joe Gamble,Jamie Ashdown and Nathan Tyson are all currently out on loan at the moment so they will not play any part.

For Crystal Palace,they will be without Neil Shipperley who is suspended.
Darren Powell is unlikely to play following injury and the fact is he on the verge of signing for the Royals.

KEY PLAYER FOR CRYSTAL PALACE:Andy Johnson

Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)

Form Guide
The Royals suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of fellow promotion rivals Preston North End on Tuesday night.
Crystal Palace beat Gillingham last week 1-0 to remain in the promotion hunt.

Previous Meetings
20/12/2003 Reading 0-3 Crystal Palace
15/03/2003 Reading 2-1 Crystal Palace
26/11/2002 Crystal Palace 0-1 Reading
23/04/1997 Crystal Palace 3-2 Reading
21/09/1996 Reading 1-6 Crystal Palace
08/04/1996 Reading 0-2 Crystal Palace
04/11/1995 Crystal Palace 0-2 Reading

Thanks to www.soccer-stats.com for the above information.

Tickets and Travel
The Royals were allocated 1,000 Tickets priced at £20 for adults and £12 for Over 60's and Under 16's.Disabled supporters need to contact Pamela Groves at Crystal Palace Football Club on 020 8768 6000 ext.280.Tickets are free for wheelchair bound supporters and £12 for helpers.

STAR and Young Royals coaches are departing 12pm at Station Hill and 12:15pm at the Madejski Stadium.STAR is £10 for members.

Division 1 Fixtures
Saturday March 6th 2004

West Ham Utd Vs Walsall 15:00
Wigan Athletic Vs Crewe 15:00
Burnley Vs Preston 15:00
Crystal Palace Vs Reading 15:00
Gillingham Vs Nottm Forest 15:00
Rotherham United Vs Bradford City 15:00
Stoke City Vs Watford 15:00
West Bromwich Albion Vs Coventry City 15:00

Sunday March 7th 2004

Norwich Vs Ipswich Town 12:00

Thanks to www.bbc.co.uk/football for the fixture list.