Reading v Charlton

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson makes a sentimental first return as a manager to his old club Reading on Tuesday night wishing it was in better circumstances.

His side are 12 points adrift at the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship and look relegation certainties following successive home defeats by Doncaster and Watford.

Parkinson, a veteran of 361 appearances for the Royals and scorer of 20 goals from midfield, became a cult figure at the club, attracting a crowd of more than 20,000 for his testimonial.

"I just wish I was going back in better circumstances," he said. "It's my first time back as a manager or coach and when the fixtures were released it was a game I looked for first.

"I'm relishing it, but only if we put in a performance that leads to a good result."

With third-placed Reading on course for an immediate return to the Premier League, Parkinson admitted he had taken encouragement from the fact that the top clubs had dropped points recently.

He said: "Plymouth won at Wolves and Forest beat Reading so there have been some surprise results.

"We have to make sure that we get ourselves on the positive end of a shock against Reading and at Wolves on Saturday."

China captain Zheng Zhi could make only his second start following long-term injury. He replaced Matthew Spring after 69 minutes against Watford on Saturday.

Seventeen-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, rested on Saturday, may also win a recall.