Next Up: Exeter City vs Reading
Most people will admit it was a smash ‘n’ grab, but the win at Lincoln was a tonic for Gary Caldwell and his City side after five straight defeats in all competitions, and it is with renewed optimism that City return home to face a side below them in the table on Saturday. The absence of Jake Doyle-Hayes gave Kevin McDonald the opportunity to return to the bench and he grabbed it with both hands in scoring the winner although the player himself admitted he hadn’t been playing well up until that point. With Doyle-Hayes thought to be out for a couple of weeks McDonald is likely to play some part again, while one player who will definitely be missing is top scorer Josh Magennis, whose form for City has earned himself a recall to the Northern Ireland side, although Ilmari Niskanen remains out in the cold with Finland deciding against selecting him. With Sonny Cox also injured it could either mean a start for Kieran Wilson or, if Caldwell reverts to one out and out striker the returning Jack Aitchison could get the nod alongside Jayden Wareham, who will be desperate to do well against his former club.
With the ownership wrangle finally over, Reading’s supporters could be forgiven for thinking the Royals would storm up the table and challenge at the top. It has not been the case, however, for Noel Hunt’s side, as a slow start sees Reading currently in 19th place. However, four matches unbeaten (two league, two EFL Trophy) has given cause for optimism including a much-changed side winning 1-0 on Tuesday night against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. One reason for the upturn in form could be the arrival of Jack Marriott, who has scored in each of his last five games, while the likes of Paddy Lane and Charlie Savage will pull the strings in midfield. One player hoping to impress will be Kamari Doyle, who had an impressive loan spell in the first half of last season with City before being surprisingly let go to head to Crawley instead. Like City, Reading will need to adjust due to international call-ups – Mark O’Mahony is with the Ireland U21s while Basil Tuma, with one solitary sub appearance in the EFL Trophy, is with Malta.
Last season’s fixtures saw Reading take four points – the corresponding fixture finished 2-1 to the visitors, an early strike from now Grecian Wareham and Craig gave Reading a 2-0 half time lead which was halved through Niskanen’s first City goal. City considered themselves somewhat unfortunate to only pick up a point from an entertaining 0-0 draw at the Madejski. Reading have a huge lead in the league head to head in a fixture that used to be a regular on the calendar back in the day, with 49 wins to City’s 23, 14 matches finishing level.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: James Durkin
Assistant Referees: Timothy Wood and Christopher Husband
Fourth Official: Aji Ajibola
James Durkin last took charge of an Exeter game in December 2024, where Exeter drew 2-2 at home to Wycombe. He’s taken charge of 8 games so far this season, showing 25 yellow cards and sending off two players.
Interview with Gary Caldwell
Interview with Johnly Yfeko