ARSENAL VS READING

New Reading manager Nigel Adkins will take charge of his first game when his side head to the Emirates to face Arsenal on Saturday.

Reading are deep in the mire, seven points from safety with eight Premier League games to play, but the former Southampton boss is confident he can get the job done.

Adkins assured fans the club would 'scrap' for the points they need to ensure Premier League survival.

"We've got to believe we can do it," Adkins said.

"We will scrap. It's about the here and now. Do we dare to dream we can win the games we need to stay up? We have to."

Reading have lost their past six in all competitions while Arsenal are looking to win three in a row for the first time this season, to push for a Champions League place.

The Gunners have hit some form but still trail North London rival Tottenham by four points in fifth, and Chelsea by five points.

However, Arsene Wenger's side are faced with a relatively soft run of games with West Brom, Everton and Manchester United the only sides in the top 10 on their remaining fixture list.

Champions-elect United will present the toughest challenge but may be already assured of the title by the time the sides meet in April.

Theo Walcott withdrew from England's World Cup qualifying squad that drew with Montenegro with a hip complaint while robust midfielder Jack Wilshere is on ice with an ankle complaint.

That may lead Wenger to utilise the likes of defender Carl Jenkinson, Aaron Ramsey and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who all performed well before the international break.

The Royals will likely be without midfielder Danny Guthrie (knee), keeper Adam Federici (ankle/foot), Jimmy Kebe (groin) and Jason Roberts (hip).