Reading Vs Sunderland: Confirmed Lineups

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has resisted temptation to throw Danny Graham a start as he only makes the bench with Sunderland unchanged from the team which drew with Swansea midweek.

There's more positive news on the bench though as Danny Rose has been deemed fit enough to make an appearance there, while Kader Mangane will also be looking to make a debut if need be alongside Graham.

John O'Shea continues to captain in Lee Cattermole's absence, and there's still no place for Carlos Cuellar while he recovers from injury.

Sunderland (4-5-1): Simon Mignolet; Craig Gardner, Jack Colback, John O'Shea, Titus Bramble; Alfred N'Diaye, David Vaughan, Seb Larsson, Adam Johnson, Stephane Sessegnon; Steven Fletcher

Substitutes: Keiren Westwood, Danny Rose, Connor Wickham, Danny Graham, Kader Mangane, Phil Bardsley, James McClean

Meanwhile Reading boss Brian McDermott opted to leave out midfielder Jem Karacan and bring in recent signing Hope Akpan to the centre of midfield for today's game.

Adam Le Fondre - a goalscoring sensation in recent weeks - once again starts on the bench for the Royals as Pavel Pogrebnyak leads the line alone.

There's also a start for former Sunderland defender Ian Harte, in the lineup ahead of former England international Nicky Shorey. Shorey is joined on the bench by former Mag Danny Guthrie and new signing Nick Blackman.

Reading (4-5-1): Adam Federici; Stephen Kelly, Ian Harte, Adrian Mariappa, Alex Pearce; Hope Akpan, Mikel Leigertwood, Jobi McAnuff, Gareth McCleary, Jimmy Kebe; Pavel Pogrebnyak

Substitutes: Stuart Taylor, Nicky Shorey, Sean Morrison, Jem Karacan, Danny Guthrie, Nick Blackman, Adam Le Fondre

Follow all the action from the Madjeski Stadium today HERE in our Match Stream.