Royals boosted by striker's return

Reading have no new fitness worries ahead of their trip to Sunderland but they do welcome Jason Roberts back from suspension.

Jem Karacan managed 71 minutes of Wednesday's 4-2 defeat to Chelsea as he looks to build up his fitness after a broken ankle, while Jimmy Kebe remains sidelined by a hamstring problem that will keep him out until after the international break. Roberts' experience will give the Royals a much-needed boost as the striker was instrumental in this team's promotion from the Championship. His ban carried over from last season has forced him to watch on during the opening two games as Brian McDermott's men get used to life in the top-flight. However, McDermott is unlikely to stick the 34-year-old straight back in the starting eleven due to the fact that he is lacking match fitness after also recently been dogged by a calf problem.