Shaun Goater will be looking to get the nod from Reading boss Steve Coppell for tonight's League Cup clash with Huddersfield.

Goater was dropped to the substitutes' bench for Friday night's televised game against Sheffield United as Coppell opted to play a lone striker in the shape of Nicky Forster.

Reading won 2-1 against the Blades but with tonight's game being at home and the opposition being a Third Division side, Coppell may be prepared to be a bit more adventurous.

Huddersfield are seventh in the basement division, while Reading are ninth in the First.

If Goater does play he will hope a good performance will convince Coppell that he does have the goals in him to justify a return to first team action when the league reconvenes on Saturday.

Ivar Ingimarsson, meanwhile, will make his home debut for Reading in the third-round tie.

With Reading still facing a defensive injury crisis, he is certain to retain his place alongside Adie Williams at the centre of the defence. Graeme Murty may be fit enough to return from a calf injury.

Huddersfield have slight doubts over Jon Stead and Lee Fowler, who are set to undergo late fitness tests.

Stead suffered a knock in the 2-1 weekend win over Carlisle, while Fowler is nursing an ankle injury.

Otherwise, boss Peter Jackson will pick his starting line-up from the same squad assembled for the Carlisle match.

“I watched them at Sheffield United on Friday and they strong and well organised, so it's far from an easy tie,” said Jackson of Goater's side.

“No-one gives us a hope, but we can go there and enjoy it because all the pressure is on Reading. If they take us lightly, then we've got every chance of doing to them what we did to Derby and Sunderland (last season).”

Kyle Lightbourne's former boss at Macclesfield Town, David Moss, was sacked on Sunday after the Silkmen won just two out of their last 11 league games to leave them languishing in 20th place in Division Three. Lightbourne retired from the game after leaving the club at the end of last season.