Reading will have full-back Jordan Obita available after suspension for the Sky Bet Championship match against Cardiff.
Tyler Blackett stood in on the left side of defence for the 1-0 win over Fulham on Tuesday night so could retain his place, while captain Paul McShane is fit following a wrist problem.
Midfielder Roy Beerens will be hoping to make the starting XI again after marking his return to the team with the winning goal against the Cottagers.
Winger Callum Harriott (hamstring), midfielder Stephen Quinn (knee) and striker Deniss Rakels (ankle) remain out.
Cardiff defender Bruno Manga is unavailable after returning from Gabon's African Nations Cup campaign with knee ligament damage.
Manga is due to have a scan on Monday and Cardiff fear the centre-half could miss the rest of the season.
Anthony Pilkington also looks like missing out after being injured against Burton last weekend.
Pilkington sat out the 1-0 midweek defeat at Brighton and Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock is unlikely to risk the Republic of Ireland international after confirming he has only done some light running in training.
Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"The (Madejski Stadium) pitch is not in a good condition. Everyone knows there's been rugby union and youth team games played on it a couple of times in recent weeks.
"These games need to be played in the stadium, but the pitch is in a very bad state to be fair.
"If you want to keep on playing well and keep on getting results, especially in how we want to play keeping possession and going forward, creating chances, it doesn't make it easy."
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Wales:
"We are quite capable of getting results everywhere, but the next five games are tough for us.
"Reading have been impressive, you just have to look at the results really and they are entertaining.
"I am looking forward to it. I have had some battles with Reading over the years and I have had some good results there really.
"It is a good stadium, they have a good owner. We would love to be in their situation in one year. That would be the aim."
Match facts
- Reading's 1-0 win over Cardiff in August ended a run of 12 league matches without a victory over the Bluebirds (D7 L5).
- Cardiff have only failed to score in two of their past 31 matches against the Royals in league competition.
- Reading's 1-0 victory over Fulham in midweek was just the second occasion this season that Jaap Stam's side have won at home having had less possession than their opponents (also vs Norwich).
- The Royals have now won six of their past seven league games on home soil, losing just once.
- Peter Whittingham has been directly involved in a higher share of Cardiff's Championship goals this season than any other player (32%).
- Neil Warnock's side have picked up just one win in their past six away league games (D2 L3).
Officials:
Referee: JAMES ADCOCK
Assistants: Michael George and Robert Hyde
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward