Yohan Cabaye and Fabricio Coloccini have both failed to prove their fitness ahead of Newcastle United's trip to Reading this afternoon.
Coloccini's absence means that Mike Williamson will continue to partner Steven Taylor in defence, while Gael Bigirimana will join Cheick Tiote in midfield.
Reading manager Brian McDermott has given Adrian Mariappa and Jimmy Kebe their first Premier League starts as the Royals continue their search for a first win of the season.
Noel Hunt and Shaun Cummings also take their places in a team that will be hoping to build on the midweek Capital One Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers.
Reading: McCarthy, Cummings, Gorkss, Mariappa, Shorey, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Pogrebnyak, Hunt
Newcastle United: Harper, Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Santon, Ben Arfa, Tiote, Bigirimana, Gutierrez, Cisse, Ba
Callum Mulvihill
