Royals boss Brian McDermott is looking forward to getting back down to business after the end of a hectic end to the transfer window and an international break last week.
Speaking ahead of this Saturday's meeting with Crystal Palace, he said "We're looking forward to it.
"We know they have experienced players and an experienced manager and staff. There'll be a good crowd in and I'm sure they'll bring a few too."
The Royals boss has some selection dilemmas ahead of him this weekend as a number return from injury, others come back from international duty and some new faces look to make an impression.
"Hopefully Brynjar will be okay but Andy Griffin we're not sure about at the moment.
"Ivar and Chris got 60-70 minutes for the reserves last week so we're looking a lot healthier.
"Both Chris and Ivar have been out for long periods, Chris for more than a year really - so a lot of people were writing him off.
"But I'm just really pleased for him. He's a great guy and one that, like Ivar, you'd definitely want to have alongside you in a war."
Matt Mills should also be fine despite hurting his ankle at the Walkers Stadium, but Jay Tabb is still out after ankle surgery, while Julian Kelly is in the final stages of a comeback from a thigh problem.
But our defence has been strengthened by the signing of Ian Harte and the loan of Zurab Khizanishvili.
"Ian's got a great left foot and a good right one too, and he can take fantastic set plays - plus he's a really good guy to have around the place.
"He's just fitted in seamlessly. And Zurab's one of those guys who can just slot in and play without too much of a problem.
"Both players fit in so well with what we're about here."
Khizanishvili was one of a number of Royals on international duty last week, and McDermott was delighted to get his full squad back together on Thursday.
"I'm delighted for Adam [Federici] to be playing for his country. Zurab's come back too after playing for Georgia and Churchy was with Wales, Longy with Ireland - the list goes on.
"A lot of the boys have been away and I'm just really looking forward to getting them back now," he said in the morning.
McDermott will, of course, be forced to make at least one change to the side that stung Leicester City at the Walkers Stadium two weeks ago, after the departure of Gylfi Sigurdsson on deadline day.
"We've lost a fantastic player, there's no doubt about that, but I'm interested to see how we react to it.
"We've got people here who can do a job and who have successfully played in sides without Gylfi.
"It means there are now opportunities for people to step up to the plate - and both the staff and players are very optimistic."
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