WATFORD return to Championship action on Saturday as they host Nigel Adkins` out-of-sorts Reading.
After a slow start following relegation from the Premier League, the Royals propelled themselves into the top six recently with a strong run, but are now winless in five league and cup matches after last Saturday`s F.A Cup defeat at Brighton.
It`s fair to say that Reading`s form has never been truly convincing at any point, with their nine Championship victories producing a best of just three consecutive victories and more than one win on the bounce just twice.
That, though, is the nature of the division and the Royals know better than most about the importance of putting together a run of form at the right time, so as long as they`re within touching distance of the top teams, they stand a chance of returning to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Off the field, the ownership of the club is up in the air once more with consortiums from the USA and Oman both believed to be interested in taking control of the Berkshire club.
Current majority shareholder – Anton Zingarevich – had been expected to buy out long-standing owner Sir John Madejski, but the Russian has failed to purchase the remaining 49 per cent of the club, leading to speculation about the club`s future.
Understandably, the Reading hierarchy want to complete any sale as soon as possible in order to provide Adkins with the finance to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.
Chief Executive Nigel Howe told the Royals` official site: ‘There are a number of parties interested in acquiring ownership of the club.
‘Discussions have been ongoing for a number of months and we are hopeful of having funding secured by the end of January, so that we will be able to invest in this transfer window.’
On the football side of things, former Southampton and Scunthorpe United boss Adkins did not see fit to make wholesale changes to the squad in the summer, after overseeing the finals months of the club`s doomed bid to avoid Premier League relegation.
Only three permanent additions were made in the summer, with midfielder Danny Williams, attacker Royston Drenthe and former England left-back Wayne Bridge joined in late September by former Fulham man Chris Baird.
One area which Adkins will undoubtedly be keen to strengthen if he is given the chance in January will be up front. Top-scorer Adam Le Fondre has seven goals from just nine starts and voiced his frustration at his lack of playing time following the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on New Year`s Day.
“I was meant to get a deal in February last year and that has been put on the back burner for nearly a year now,” Le Fondre told The Reading Post.
“So I think the writing is on the wall for me if I read between the lines.”
Stockport-born Le Fondre, 27, has never been a regular for the Royals since arriving from Rotherham United in 2011, making 37 league starts and 47 substitute appearances.
What is most impressive about the Royals` number nine is that he has still struck 31 times for the club, despite being limited to substitute outings more often than not.
The club`s second-highest goalscorer is Russian international Pavel Pogrebnyak with six, but the 30 year-old is another who has had one eye on the exit ever since the Royals were relegated last season.
Billy Sharp – who worked with Adkins at parent club Southampton – arrived on loan in September to improve Adkins` striking options, but has made just six Championship starts since.
Club captain Jobi McAnuff could recover from a foot injury in time to take on his former club, whilst Hal Robson-Kanu and Baird are both likely to miss out with knocks.
Striker Nick Blackman was injured against Brighton in the cup, whilst Sean Morrison, Jason Roberts and Wayne Bridge are all sidelined.
Centre-half Michael Hector has returned from a loan spell at Aberdeen and will go straight into the matchday squad.
Watford are without Almen Abdi, Tommie Hoban, Reece Brown and Essaid Belkalem. Updates on Fernando Forestieri and Ikechi Anya are expected.
Predicted line-ups:
Watford: Almunia (capt); Doyley, Angella, Ekstrand; Cassetti, McGugan, Iriney, Murray, Bellerin; Deeney & Fabbrini.
Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Kelly, Pearce, Cummings; McCleary, Williams, Guthrie, McAnuff (capt); Sharp & Pogrebnyak.
Kick-off: 15.00
Referee: Mr K Stroud
Commentary: BBC Three Counties & Hornets Player
Highlights: The Football League Show (BBC1 @ 23.55) & Hornets Player.
