Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship clash between Cardiff City and Reading in South Wales. These two sides have been struggling for form in recent weeks, with questions being asked of Bluebirds boss Russell Slade in particular.

Kickoff is only around 20 minutes away, so let's get straight into things by checking out some team news.

TEAM NEWS!

CARDIFF CITY XI: Marshall, Peltier, Malone, Morrison, Connolly, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Pilkington, Noone, Jones, Mason

READING XI: Al-Habsi; Gunter, Hector, Ferdinand, Taylor; Norwood, Fernandez; John, Vydra, Blackman; Sa

The big news as far as the home side are concerned is the inclusion of Kenwyne Jones up top. The Trinidad & Tobago international picked up an injury during the last international break, forcing him to miss a large part of the last month. Having come on as a sub at Leeds United in midweek, he is now among the starters for the Bluebirds.

Cardiff will certainly need him, too, having gone 274 minutes now since last finding the net. To make matters worse, that was a George Friend own goal, meaning it is actually a whopping eight hours and 55 minutes since a City player last found a way through. That, in case you were wondering, was provided by Joe Mason at Brighton last month - the ex-Plymouth Argyle man starts up top alongside Jones this afternoon.

Suspension for the previously ever-present Peter Whittingam, coming on the back of a fifth booking of the season last time out, means that Joe Ralls will seemingly move into his more natural central-midfield berth. The knock-on effect that has is a place out wide for Anthony Pilkington, while Craig Noone features on the opposite wing. Icelandic international Aron Gunnarsson completes the midfield in the absence of Kagisho Dikgacoi.

Reading boss Steve Clarke has opted to bring in five new faces, meanwhile, having seen his side held to a rather disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Huddersfield Town earlier this week. That stalemate makes it four without a win, just weeks after racking up six wins out of seven to climb into automatic promotion contention.

The lack of wins in recent weeks has seen the Royals slip to seventh place, just outside their target of a playoff finish. Michael Hector, Alex Fernandez, Ola John and Orlando Sa are all reinstalled into the starting lineup this afternoon, while Andrew Taylor also makes a welcome return to South Wales - a member of the Bluebirds' promotion-winning squad from a couple of years back.

Danny Williams, Gareth McCleary and Jordan Obita are among those to drop out of the starting lineup, meanwhile, as Clarke looks to freshen things up. Reading certainly know how to find the net, having done so in each of their last eight outings, which is in stark contrast to City's barren run in front of goal.

Nick Blackman in particular has stood out for Reading this term, scoring nine goals and providing a further couple of assists to see his name already linked with a few Premier League sides. Right now his focus is purely on helping the Berkshire outfit to find some momentum once more, with seven of the points in recent weeks coming against bottom-half sides.

A quick look at the options available to both managers this afternoon, which includes summer signing Idriss Saadi for Cardiff. He has yet to be seen in a City strip since joining, due to an injury problem that has only just been shaken off.

BENCH WATCH!

CARDIFF CITY SUBS: Moore, Tamas, Dikgacoi, O'Keefe, Kennedy, Ameobi, Saadi

READING SUBS: Bond, Obita, Hurtado, Williams, McCleary, Cooper, Liburd

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Cardiff have won four and drawn six of the previous 10 regular league meetings between the pair, but they did suffer real playoff heartache in 2011 when on the receiving end of a 3-0 second-leg loss here in South Wales. Reading have scored exactly once in each of the last four fixtures, while also scoring in each of the previous six encounters.

DID YOU KNOW? Reading have had more shots than any other team in the Championship this season, with 179 in all. They come up against a Cardiff side containing an in-form David Marshall, who has an 85.29% save-to-shot percentage - the best figure of any goalkeeper in the second tier.

Both sets of players are now out on the field at the Cardiff City Stadium ahead of a one minute's silence. Real pressure on Russell Slade at the moment following this poor run in front of goal for his side, while Steve Clarke has also seen Reading struggle during this four-game winless run.

KICKOFF! We are underway in South Wales! Attendances have continued to drop at the Cardiff City Stadium over the past 18 months or so, with supporters growing increasingly frustrated by the bland style of play. A big game for Russell Slade and his men this afternoon.

Vydra drives at Connolly to earn his side a free kick around 30 yards from goal, which Blackman disappointingly fires straight into the wall. Reading manage to keep the ball alive and a cross comes in, but Marshall was caught in the face when jumping up to collect and earns his side a free kick of their own.

No real flow to the game at this early stage, but it's Reading who have seen more of the ball so far. Incidentally, a win for either side could be enough to drag them back into the playoff zone, but that is unlikely in Cardiff's case with a few teams - including Reading, of course - between themselves and the top six.

Mason looks to latch on to a long ball over the top, which Ferdinand is simply happy to head into touch. Mason has struggled for goals since last scoring a month ago, but he is reunited with Jones this afternoon.

Pilkington's shot deflects behind and, with no Whittingham this afternoon, Pilkington swings one into a deep position. Morrison met it, but there was no real conviction behind the effort and in the end Al-Habsi barely even had to make a save.

SHOT! All very open at the moment, as Reading break forward and nearly find a way through when Sa chipped in a cross that was just about taken away from John. Noone then takes range up the other end, with a dipping effort that was simple enough for Al-Habsi to get his body behind.

Blackman wants a free kick after going to ground, but the referee instead awards Cardiff a goal-kick. Decent enough start to this game, yet I'm afraid to say that it has now been nine hours since City last found the net.

Pilkington and Malone link up well down the left, with the former getting in a cross at the near post for Hector to clear away. The Bluebirds have the momentum at the moment, getting a couple of crosses into the box, but Jones has yet to get on the end of any of them.

Cardiff's turn to defend some pressure now, with Pilkington turning John inside out before clearing the ball back up the field. A lively enough encounter so far, but just the one real shot on target via Noone's left boot.

A free kick is curled into the back-post area, where Ferdinand was just looking to creep in unnoticed. Peltier was well alert to get his head to the ball first, though. Reading saw the initial corner cleared before swinging in another from the other side which goes horribly wrong.

Sa lofts one over the top for Blackman to chase down, but Marshall just about gets to the ball first. A few shouts for a penalty from the away section, though the Scotland international most certainly took the ball before the man.

A few groans around the City Stadium as the ball is worked from an attacking position back to Marshall in goal. This has pretty much been par for the course in terms of this season, with little to shout about. Noone almost changed all that only for a lack of end product to cost him.

Malone is urged forward down the left, but it is all so incredibly slow and bland. It is clear to see just why supporters have grown so frustrated in recent times. Over a quarter of the way through this game and neither keeper has had to do anything of note thus far.

Better from Cardiff, who would have been ahead if not for a decent Taylor challenge towards the back post. Ralls put a fine cross into the box, but the former City full-back wrapped his foot around Noone to get to the ball first.

Half a chance for Blackman on the edge of the box, but having wrapped his foot around the ball he failed to keep his effort down. Still just the one Craig Noone shot on goal so far in this goalless affair.

CHANCE! Best opening of the game so far by quite some distance. Noone did brilliantly to get the better of his man and work an angle to get in a shot on goal, but the angle proved to be a little too tight and Al-Habsi was down to keep it out.

Around nine-and-a-half hours since Cardiff last found a way through now, but that was pretty much as close as they have come to making a breakthrough. Play has been halted for the past couple of minutes for Peltier to receive some treatment.

SHOT! Norwood, a man who loves to hit the ball from range, gets in a real belter from around 25 yards out. It was right down the middle, yet Marshall could only parry the ball due to the pace on the ball. No Reading players around to capitalise, though, so it was simple enough for the Bluebirds defence to deal with in the end.

YELLOW CARD! The first caution of the afternoon goes to Noone, who mistimed his challenge on Norwood.

A free kick into the box is only half cleared to John, who smashes in an effort that is blocked away by Jones. Six minutes until the interval and there is not a great deal between the two sides. Cardiff have just about edged things thanks to the Noone chance a little earlier.

SAVE! Cardiff's player of the season has just kept his side level. Gunnarsson's slip in the centre of the park allowed Reading to break forward in numbers and, when John slipped in Blackman, there only appeared to be one winner. Marshall got down to keep out the shot from close range, though, denying the Royals from their best chance by quite some distance.

Noone has done well in this first half, constantly looking to get at the opposition defence. It has not really paid off for the winger so far, but he did create that one big opening for his side earlier in the half.

Cardiff's goal drought comes to an end at long last! Just short of 10 hours since one of their own players last found the back of the net, returning striker Jones nodded the ball into the bottom corner when left pretty much unmarked at a free kick. Great delivery, fine header.

We are now into the second of three added on minutes at the end of this first half, with Cardiff winning a couple of corners to keep the pressure on their opponents. A second before the interval would be nice for the home supporters.

SAVE! It's another massive save from David Marshall to deny Sa from just three yards out. The forward was in on goal thanks to a nice break, but he could not slot it past the big frame of Marshall who pounced on the ball.

Advantage Cardiff at the break, then, after a half of football that got better as it went on. Not a great deal to shout about in the opening quarter, with Craig Noone's shot on target the only real attempt of note.

Noone was against at the heart of Cardiff's next attacking move, working a shooting position to force Al-Habsi into making a save down low. Norwood's rasping shot forced Marshall into action soon after, before the Scotland international pulled off a big save to deny Blackman who was in on goal.

Three minutes after that Cardiff were ahead, finding a way through thanks to Kenwyne Jones's header from a well-taken free kick. It had been close to 10 hours since a Cardiff player last found a way through, a run coinciding with the striker's injury absence, but he is now back and among the goals already.

Reading did have one more big chance to level up before the break, though, only for Marshall - unquestionably the finest goalkeeper in the Football League - to deny Sa from just a few yards out. It could have all been so different if not for the Bluebirds' first-choice stopper, but as it is we remain at 1-0.

We are not likely to see any changes at the break, as both sets of players now make their way back down the tunnel, but here is a remainder of the options available to the two managers...

CARDIFF CITY SUBS: Moore, Tamas, Dikgacoi, O'Keefe, Kennedy, Ameobi, Saadi

READING SUBS: Bond, Obita, Hurtado, Williams, McCleary, Cooper, Liburd

RESTART! We are back underway at the City Stadium. Can Reading build on the pressure they put on their opponents at the end of the first half?

Not a great deal of action since the restart, much like the start of the first half. Cardiff supporters firmly behind their team now - what a difference a single goal can make!

Reading's play is very disjointed at the moment, but their attacking trio certainly know how to find the net. The Royals have found a way through in each of their last eight, remember, so this one is far from over at this stage.

Noone picks up from where he left off in the first half, earning the Bluebirds a free kick close to the corner flag. Pilkington swings the ball into a dangerous area, and Al-Habsi makes a real error when trying to punch clear. Another corner to come in.

You wait 10 hours for one goal... Matthew Connolly powers home a fine header from the corner to give his side a two-goal cushion. This is dreamland for home supporters, who have been left short-changed far too often this term. Al-Habsi's inability to deal with the initial cross into the box from that initial free kick proves costly.

SAVE! Reading need to step things up now, which they do so through Blackman's effort. It was a decent enough attempt from the edge of the box, which Marshall did well to get across and keep out.

SHOT! As things stand Cardiff will climb above their opponents into seventh place. Not a bad position to be heading into the latest international break, and the should have extended their lead a little more here. Gunnarsson charged down the right, only for his attempt to be dragged a little wide of goal in the end.

Gunter's headed clearance has enough backspin on it to win Cardiff a corner, but the Bluebirds can't find a way through on this occasion from the resulting set piece. The Royals are readying a change or two now as we enter the final 30 minutes.

SAVE! Yet again Marshall is equal to a decent attempt, this time Norwood's latest belter from range. A very good stop from the Scotsman, who used the pace on the ball to push it well out of the box.

SUBS! Cardiff make their first change, bringing on Sammy Ameobi for Joe Mason. A double alteration for the Royals, meanwhile as Rowan Liburd comes on for his league debut alongside Danny Williams. Ola John and Alex Fernandez the men to make way.

Reading asserting some pressure on the hosts now with a couple of corners, but not a great deal for the City backline to deal with. Craig Bellamy is among the spectators this afternoon, incidentally, just days after being touted as a possible replacement for Russell Slade.

The corner is worked well, but substitute Danny Williams blasts the ball a good yard or two wide of goal from the edge of the box. Twenty minutes to go yet Reading still unable to get past Marshall.

CLOSE! Craig Noone has been the best player on the field this afternoon, showing that he is still capable of reaching his previous high levels. His latest curler, coming after he had cut inside from the right, ends just inches wide of the far post. Good attempt!

Cardiff, to their credit, are still on top at the moment. It's Reading who are chasing a route back into the game, yet the Royals have seen the chances dry up somewhat. Marshall did keep out another Blackman attempt, only for the flag to be raised on the far side anyway.

SUBS! Idriss Saadi, who scored 20 goals for French outfit Clermont last season, is introduced for his Cardiff debut. The deadline-day signing comes on for Kenwyne Jones. Matej Vydra also makes way for the visitors, with Paolo Hurtado on for the final 14 minutes.

SAVE! My word - talk about an instant impact! Seventy seconds after coming on, Hector's howler allowed Saadi to pick up the loose ball with just the defender and keeper to beat. The Frenchman opted to take on the shot pretty early, forcing Al-Habsi to push the ball aside.

SAVES! I mentioned a little earlier how Noone has been the best outfield player on the field, but this has been a 10/10 display by Marshall - yet again! He has just made three saves in 90 seconds to keep Cardiff ahead. The first was to push Norwood's powerful free kick over the bar. The second was down low to keep out a powerful Hector volley. Then, incredibly, came the third - another top-class stop to palm away Sa's towering header.

Reading really knocking on the door at the moment, but after the umpteenth Marshall save of the contest I think even the most ardent of Royals supporters must realise that it is not going to be their day. What a display from the Bluebirds' No.1.

Malone taking no chances following a good cross into the back post, simply chesting it down for Marshall to collect. The Scotsman has had a two-minute breather as the Royals' spell of pressure dies down. No question who will be picking up the man of the match award, though.

CARDIFF SUB! Stuart O'Keefe replaces Anthony Pilkington in what will be the Bluebirds' final alteration. Time running out for Reading now, but a goal will certainly make things a little more interesting.

YELLOW CARD! Morrison brings down Hurtado and earns himself a yellow in the process. The free kick, around 25 yards from goal, is fired over the bar by Blackman.

Reading dominating the ball at the moment but are struggling to create any openings. Five minutes of added time to be played.

Williams shoots from all of 35 yards out, with an effort that just about reached Marshall between the sticks. The easiest of his many saves this afternoon.

Cardiff managing the game well in the closing stages, taking no risks and simply keeping the ball in their opponents' half. Around 30 seconds left to play in South Wales.

YELLOW CARD! Williams catches Noone very late to earn himself a late yellow card. That should do it for Cardiff.

Victory for Cardiff - their first in five matches. Reading's winless run goes on, meanwhile, having been denied by a City keeper on top of his game this afternoon.

Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Connolly proved the difference, scoring headers from set-piece deliveries either side of half time to put the Bluebirds on their way. Reading had numerous chances to claw themselves back into things, only for Marshall to pull off six or seven superb saves.

Well that concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Football League action, but be sure to stick around with Chelsea and Stoke City set to do battle in around 30 minutes' time. Thanks for joining!