Reading manager Brian McDermott has decided to hand Nick Blackman his first Royals start in this afternoon's match against Stoke City.

Blackman replaces Gareth McCleary in Reading's only change from last weekend's 2-1 win over Sunderland.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has also made just one change in an effort to secure a first Premier League win of 2013, bringing in Michael Kightly for Geoff Cameron.

Steven N'Zonzi and Glenn Whelan continue in midfield while Charlie Adam, Cameron Jerome and Michael Owen have to settle for a place on the bench.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shotton, Huth, Shawcross, Whelan, Kightly, Etherington, N'Zonzi, Walters, Crouch

Reading: Federci, Kelly, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce, Leigertwood, Akpan, McAnuff, Kebe, Blackman, Pogrebnyak