Reading boss Nigel Adkins has handed Chris Baird his full debut as his side travel to Derby County in the Championship this afternoon.

Adkins has also given 19-year-old Jordan Obita his first ever league start, while Pavel Pogrebnyak returns to partner Hal Robson-Kanu in attack having served a suspension.

Derby's Will Hughes is a surprise selection in the home side's starting XI, with reports in the week suggesting that the midfielder would miss out with a groin and pelvis injury picked up against Bolton Wanderers.

Derby County: Grant; Smith, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson, Hughes, Ward, Russell, Martin

Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Kelly, Pearce, Morrison, Guthrie, Baird, Obita, McCleary, Robson-Kanu, Pogrebnyak