Team news

Griffin concern for Royals Reading`s on-loan full-back Andy Griffin remains a fitness doubt ahead of the visit of QPR.

The Stoke defender missed the 2-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday after failing a late fitness test but is in contention to return for the in-form Royals` fifth home game in succession.

Midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson filled in at right-back against the Robins and could start there again while Blackburn loanee Zurab Khizanishvili is another option for manager Brian McDermott.

Reading have won seven out of eight in the Coca-Cola Championship to climb six points clear of the relegation zone and are now only eight points shy of the play-offs.

Noel Hunt and Chris Armstrong (both knee) remain sidelined while Jem Karacan (hand) and Kalifa Cisse (dead leg) are also out.

QPR boss Neil Warnock could name the same side for the fourth game in a row.

Warnock, who is yet to taste defeat following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sheffield United, will keep faith with the same players as he looks to mastermind a late surge for the play-offs.

Marcus Bent is set to miss out again as Warnock is only able to name five loanees in his matchday squad and Carl Ikeme, Matt Hill, Adel Taarabt, Tamas Priskin and Jay Simpson have all been selected ahead of the Birmingham man in recent weeks.

Midfield duo Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands are sidelined with long-term knee injuries and will not make the trip to the Madejski Stadium, where Reading have won their last five league games.

Reading 1-0 QPR

Last modified 11:49 22/03/10

Warnock run ended Neil Warnock's unbeaten start as QPR manager came to an end as a late Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty was enough to give Reading yet another Coca-Cola Championship victory.

Rangers looked like frustrating the resurgent Royals to hang on for a point despite playing with 10 men for the entire second half until Sigurdsson's 85th-minute spot-kick.

QPR had the best of the first half only to have defender Damion Stewart sent-off in the 45th minute and then produced a resolute rearguard display after the break.

But Brian McDermott's side kept going and earned their eighth win in their last nine league games to continue to climb the table.

Sigurdsson and Brian Howard came close with early free-kicks but QPR bossed the rest of the opening period.

Warnock had fielded a very attacking side, with captain Mikele Leigertwood often left in midfield on his own as his team-mates looked to get ahead of the ball.

The Rangers boss saw Adel Taarabt have one fierce effort well held by Adam Federici.

Tamas Priskin then should have put the visitors ahead when Federici could only parry a header from Kaspars Gorkss into the goalmouth but the striker blasted it over the top.

The lively Taarabt hammered a drive over the crossbar after showing a great touch before Jay Simpson added to the list of missed QPR chances.

Taarabt was again involved, and after drifting into space on the left the Tottenham loanee disguised a deft pass in behind the defence for Simpson to run onto but he could not lift the ball over Federici.

Rangers had been on top but the rest of the first half then descended into a niggly battle after Stewart was booked for a high challenge on Shane Long which had Warnock fuming on the touchline.

Both sides were guilty of some cynical challenges as the crowd grew frustrated before Stewart was sent-off in the final minute of the half for senselessly challenging Federici as the goalkeeper took a quick drop-kick.

Leigertwood shifted to right-back as Rangers reshuffled for the second-half and Reading started brightly.

Jimmy Kebe hit a shot on the run straight at Ikeme before Long sent a curling effort from the edge of the area narrowly wide.

Ryan Bertrand's fizzed cross from the left evaded everyone when the merest of touches would have put the Royals ahead before Simpson missed another good chance for the visitors when he fired over from a tight angle.

Sigurdsson saw a powerful shot well cleared by Matt Hill from on the goal line as the home side continued to press - before Jobi McAnuff was denied by an even better clearance after his effort had beaten Ikeme.