Peterborough United travel to the impressive Madejski Stadium on Saturday to face an in-form Reading side who still harbour outside hopes of reaching the play-offs.

The Royals have been in fine form of late, moving well clear of danger at the foot of the division and had Newcastle United not claimed a 2-1 victory during the week, they would fancy themselves of entering the top seven.

Posh boss Gary Johnson started with a 2-1 defeat to Leicester City, but there were promising signs from that performance and several players are back to boost the squad.

TEAM NEWS

Posh welcome back central defender Gabriel Zakuani from injury after the former Fulham man missed the Leicester defeat due to a groin injury. Mark Little is also back in the squad after three weeks out with a hamstring strain.

Midfielder Lee Frecklington is also available after he responded to treatment on a hamstring injury, but Chris Whelpdale, Aaron Mclean, Izale McLeod, Sergio Torres and Nathan Koranteng are out.

Reading are not reporting any fresh injuries, but have stoked the fire ahead of the game with manager Brian McDermott confirming that the Royals are interested in Craig Mackail-Smith.

MANAGER QUOTES

'Brian has done a wonderful job with Reading and they will still fancy their chances of pushing the teams in the play-offs all the way, so we know it will be tough. They play an open game, but they have the players to do that and they will definitely be up for the game,' Gary Johnson said.

BETTING

Posh are priced at 15/2 to win the game with Reading clear favourites. Posh won 3-2 at London Road and a repeat of that score-line is 80/1. You can do all this betting online with www.theposhbet.com.