Brian McDermott led his team in training on the Madejski Stadium pitch on Christmas Eve, and he is hoping for more home comforts over the festive period when we face Swansea on Boxing Day, kick off 3pm.

Brian told Reading FC Player, "I'm looking forward to playing at home, I think there'll be a terrific atmosphere and a good crowd. One thing about our supporters is that if you play football in the right way, play on the front foot and get crosses into the box and shots off, they'll support you. They've done that for a number of years.

"We've got to play like a Reading side that's in front of our own fans and we will do whatever it takes to get the result. We have to get crosses into the box, and get our shots off. Against Bristol City we had 27 crosses and 22 shots so we'll look to convert some of those.

"It's great to get out and train on the pitch, the pitch is perfect to be fair. We've not had chance to be at Hogwood, hopefully we can do that on Christmas Day.

"Some of the boys were caught in snow on Monday, they had to stay in hotels and a few of the staff too. It took me 6.5 hours from Arborfield to Bourne End, it was a hell of a journey!"

Brian will be without Simon Church through suspension, but Brian Howard is close to a return after his broken jaw.

Youngsters Abdulai Bell-Baggie and Jake Taylor have been handed squad numbers and could be involved.