1-0 to Stoke. 15:02KEY EVENTKick-offWe're off! Stoke literally get the ball rolling. 14:49Jonathan LowApproaching kick-offNot too far away from kick-off now - it's a chilly but sunny one here in Staffordshire. Reading will be in their black away strip by the looks of it. The crowd are slowly coming through the turnstiles - it won't be a sell-out by any means so let's hope those who have made the trip up from Reading get a game to remember! 14:36Jonathan LowAlex NeilHere are the thoughts of Stoke boss Alex Neil ahead of this afternoon's match. I think it'll be a tough game.
“The manager has banned any talk of Manchester United. There is a lot more at stake here. The cup tie will take care of itself next week, but every bit of focus this week has been purely on Stoke away. “We have to focus on the here and now. The players are as motivated for this weekend as they are for the cup tie.
That result means they have lost just two of their past eight games in all competitions and a win against the Potters could see them move up as high as seventh spot should other results go their way. You can follow all the action from the Potteries with reporter Jonathan Low in the live blog below. READ NEXT 'Under no illusions' - How Reading FC will prepare ahead of Stoke City and Manchester United What David Prutton's Reading FC prediction at Stoke could mean for Sunderland, QPR and others Stoke's home form, Dwight Gayle and the ominous Reading record Charlie Adam's prediction on ex-Reading FC star Michael Olise with Man City and Liverpool remark What Reading FC boss Paul Ince has done ahead of Manchester United FA Cup fourth round tie 15:13KEY EVENTGOAL StokeYiadom dispossessed far too easily, leaving Stoke bearing down on goal and the ball is played across to Smallbone who drills in a low shot.
The 44-year-old will be assisted by Jonathan Hunt and Daniel Leach, while Sebastian Stockbridge will be acting as the fourth official. (Image: Birmingham Mail)13:42Jonathan LowAlex RaeReading assistant boss Alex Rae was on pre-match media duties this week instead of Paul Ince. Here is what he had to say ahead of this afternoon's game.
Professional motivation should lie within, so it shouldn’t matter if you’re playing someone at the bottom of the league or a team of the magnitude of Manchester United. “And as a group, we’re focusing game by game. The initial target was to get to 50 points - that was set by the gaffer. And we’ve still got a bit of work to get there. “We’re competing in every game but there was a disappointment on the back of last weekend, having been in a good position against QPR.