Ipswich Town's promotion bid is back on track going into Saturday's Championship meeting with Reading at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys found themselves in danger of falling off the pace courtesy of just one win in five league games, but back-to-back victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham have limited the damage done.

Mick McCarthy will be acutely aware that neither victory was particularly convincing, however, with his side launching a second-half comeback to beat Wednesday before surviving a late fightback from Fulham last weekend.

The most important thing in both instances was the result, however, and with all of the top three having unexpectedly dropped points in their last outings, Ipswich find themselves only three points off leaders Middlesbrough.

The win over the Owls earlier this month saw Ipswich return to winning ways at Portman Road having gone three games without a victory, or even a goal, in front of their own fans before that.

However, they do still boast the best home record in the division and have also conceded a league-low nine goals on their own patch so far this season.

Such a stingy defence provides the basis for the likes of Daryl Murphy to shine at the other end, and the Championship's leading scorer took his tally to 21 for the season - including four in his last four - with a brace against Fulham.

McCarthy has challenged him to hit 30 for the campaign, and he is once again expected to start on Saturday despite breaking his nose while scoring the opening goal last weekend.

The match comes too soon for Luke Hyam, but David McGoldrick should be available having failed a late fitness test last weekend. Former Royal Noel Hunt is a doubt having been forced off against the Cottagers, but Stephen Hunt and Jay Tabb are in line to play against their old club.

Reading will be looking to bounce back at Portman Road having succumbed to an "embarrassing" home defeat at the hands of struggling Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night - only the Latics' second win under Malky Mackay.

The Royals remain a relatively comfortable seven points clear of the relegation zone and have an FA Cup quarter-final with Bradford City to look forward to, but Steve Clarke will be worried by his side's last two league appearances.

Both Leeds United and Wigan have won at the Madejski in Reading's most recent two outings, and they are now on the verge of losing three in a row for the first time under the Scottish boss.

While their home form appears to be dipping, Clarke will be hopeful that his side can build on a 2-1 victory over playoff-chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last away outing as they look for back-to-back league victories on the road for the first time since April 2014.

Reading will be boosted by the return of Michael Hector after he missed the midweek match through injury, while Danny Guthrie is also edging ever closer to a return.

Chris Gunter, Jem Karacan and Anton Ferdinand will play no part, however, as they remain sidelined through injury.

Ipswich:

Recent form: WLDLWW

Possible starting lineup: Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Bishop, Skuse, Bru, Tabb; McGoldrick, Murphy

Reading:

Form in Championship: LDWWLL
Form in all competitions: DWWLWL

Possible starting lineup: Federici; Kelly, Hector, Pearce, Obita; McCleary, Williams, Norwood, Robson-Kanu; Pogrebnyak, Yakubu

Sports Mole says: 2-0

Previews by email