Reading to play Crawley Town at Three Bridges

This is the first midweek since October 10 that the Reds have not had a competitive game.

So John Yems wanted the players who haven't seen much first team action to get some more minutes.

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Yems told us: “It’s a chance to get the players who haven’t been playing some minutes.

"I have been trying to do it all season but because of Covid it hasn’t been possible.

“Everyone needs to be ready, we just have to get them match-fit or as fit as we can get them.”

The Reds have had Glenn Morris, Jodan Tunnifcliffe, George Francomb, Sam Matthews and Jake Hesketh unavailable but only Francomb is expected to be out this weekend with Yems saying he still has six to seven weeks out.

The Reds host Carlisle United (Saturday) and Grimsby Town (Tuesday) in the next week looking to continue their superb home record under Yems.

Carlisle visited The People’s Pension Stadium in February and that game ended goalless.