Nickname: The Royals
Year formed: 1871
Ground: The Madejski Stadium
Capacity: 24,200 2007/08 average: 23,585
For visitors: 4,500 in the Fosters Lager South Stand
Record attendance: 33,042
Position last season: 18th in the Premier League
Manager: Steve Coppell (October 2003)

Players in: None
Players out: Adam Bygrave (Weymouth, free)
Key man: Kevin Doyle

Record transfer fee paid: £2.5m (Greg Halford, Colchester, 2007)
Record transfer fee received: £2.5m (Greg Halford, Sunderland, 2007)

Ticket office: 0870 999 1871
Ticket prices: Adults £32-£39, Over 65's & Under 21's £22-£31, Under 16's £16-£25, Under 12's £10-£20
Official website: www.readingfc.co.uk

Journey: 164 miles
Journey time: 2hr 56mins
For directions to the ground click here

Last meeting: Reading 4, Norwich City 0 (January 31, 2006): Norwich City's faltering play-off hopes suffered another body blow as they were ruthlessly put to the sword by the best side in the Championship. Reading were rampant from the very first minute and fully deserved to be 2-0 up at the break with Nicky Shorey firing home a sixth minute free-kick and Steve Sidwell doubling his side's advantage 11 minutes later with a thumping header. Steve Coppell's side duly doubled their advantage in the second period with a scrambled goal from Leroy Lita and an excellent solo effort from American international Bobby Convey giving the final score line a more realistic look. Full Match Report

Last Norwich away win: Reading 0, Norwich City 1 (April 12, 2004): Referee Neale Barry provided a priceless assist as Norwich City moved to within touching distance of the Premiership at the Madejski Stadium. An unexceptional match looked to be heading towards a goalless draw when the Lincolnshire official got his back in the way of an attempted clearance from Dean Gordon, and all of a sudden City midfielder Phil Mulryne had a decent sight of goal. The City substitute still had plenty to do but made full use of an excellent 'pass' as he curled the ball home to spark wild celebrations among the 4000 visiting fans behind the goal.

Chances: Don’t mention it to Coppell, but Reading were the victims of ‘second season syndrome’ last campaign. That and the fact they did not score enough goals and conceded too many put paid to hopes establishing themselves in the top-flight. However, the Royals seem to have fought off most of the vultures circling the Madejski Stadium and the likes of Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle should quickly be back among the goals in the Championship. A good bet for a quick return to the Premier League.