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It is certainly a measure of our progress this season that we have had to cast one eye on the returning international players this week before Saturday's team can be decided upon.

Again, the role of Elano will be carefully considered following his latest trip clocking up the air miles, and the likes of Dunne, Richards, Corluka, Petrov and Isaksson have all been involved in Euro qualifiers - some with a greater degree of success than others.

All should be fit though and it is likely Elano will start, with him giving what he can before the DVT kicks in from the flight from Peru. Isaksson is expected to be between the posts in a somewhat surprising move given Hart's performance at Portsmouth but apart from that the only real decision appears to be up front, with The Exile missing altogether with an ankle injury which leaves a straight choice between Vassell and the Rodeo Bull. Roll on the January window and the return to fitness of Bojinov.

So what about Reading? It's fair to see we struggled against them last season as they surprised pretty much everyone with an impressive debut campaign. As expected this time around though, they have not found things as easy and are currently around the lower reaches of the table - although a relegation battle should be easily avoided.

It is a crucial period coming up for us over the next six weeks with no more breaks, and a series of league and cup games which could well shape the second half of the season.

I don't expect too many problems to navigate tomorrow and fully expect another three points in the bag come 5pm, with a 2-0 victory being my prediction.