News and Views
McCarthy Out As Norwich Visit
09 November 2012
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Alex McCarthy will be out of action this weekend as Norwich City visit the Madejski Stadium. McCarthy was injured in the last action of the game last weekend when Reading picked up a 1-1 draw at QPR. McCarthy, who had an excellent game to ensure Reading left with at least a point, hit his shoulder on the post when making sure a last QPR effort wasn't going to hit the target. He went down and required treatment on the field after the final whistle. A scan has shown there is damage and he looks set to be sidelined for more than just the one game.
McCarthy's misfortune gives last season's number one goalkeeper Adam Federici another chance back between the sticks. Federici was dropped after a poor start to the season and his only recall saw him let in seven goals during Reading's dramatic League Cup exit to Arsenal. This is a big opportunity for Federici to perform and attempt to keep McCarthy on the bench when he returns from injury. The pressure is on both Federici and the team as a whole as Reading sit firmly in the bottom three.
The spotlight remains on Reading, and QPR, as the final two league sides without a league win well into November. There won't be many better opportunities for Reading to secure a valuable League win. The visitors, Norwich, have ten points from ten games - double Reading's point haul - but they have failed to win away from home in the League with two wins and three defeats. If Reading fail to win this one then it's hard to see where the first win might come from with Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal the next visitors to the Madejski Stadium.
Reading and Norwich have never met in the top flight, and are evenly matched in recent history. Reading have won two of the last three League meetings at home. The last meeting in Reading saw the Royals come back from 0-2 and then 1-3 down to secure a 3-3 draw with Shane Long scoring the equaliser. Surely a draw this time around wouldn't be seen as a success whatever the circumstances.
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