Boss Steve Coppell says observers should not read too much into his starting XI for the Royals' final friendly with Aston Villa this Saturday.

Traditionally, the final friendly of a pre-season campaign would help to indicate our team for the beginning of the upcoming league season, but Coppell says that may not be the case this time around.

He commented, "I think it would be wrong to take too much out of Saturday's team selection and our eleven because it's the squad that's all important.

"It may well be that the side that plays at home to Villa won't be the side that plays away at Forest. It won't be definitive, that I can guarantee, and the team that plays on Saturday will not necessarily be the one that starts at Forest.

"It will obviously be a pointer but I know I'm going to use each and every one of those players and possibly one or two more over the course of the next nine months if we are to have a successful campaign.

"The Villa game will be our toughest of pre-season to date because they are terrific players. They're already up to speed because they've played in their Uefa Cup qualifier so they're going alright at the moment.

"I know Martin O'Neill won't stand for any half-hearted performances either."

Reading will be without Graeme Murty, while Brynjar Gunnarsson is a long term victim and is also unavailable. Gareth Barry could play for Villa despite continued speculation about his future with the Villa Park outfit.

Ticket for Saturday's game are on general sale, just £10 for adults and £6 concessions. They are available by telephone on 0844 249 1871, online or in person.

Both the west and east stand ticket offices will be open on Saturday for walk-up sales, and there is no increase in price if you wish to buy on the day.