Norwich City will be looking to get their playoff challenge back on track when they host Reading at Carrow Road this Saturday.

The Canaries have suffered a torrid November with two defeats and a draw from their three matches so far this month, conceding nine goals in the process.

Defeats to promotion rivals Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest were particularly damaging, while they would have been expecting more than a solitary point against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.

That match saw Gary Hooper rescue a late draw for his side in a six-goal thriller, although there was disappointment late on as Bradley Johnson saw red in stoppage time.

Johnson will therefore be suspended this weekend, but Hooper's strike could be enough for him to come into the starting lineup in place of the misfiring Lewis Grabban.

Alex Tettey is a doubt after he picked up a knock in the draw with Brighton, although Canaries boss Neil Adams is hopeful that the midfielder will pass a late fitness test.

It is now just one win in nine for Norwich, although they are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Reading, winning twice and drawing twice.

The Royals will not be too confident about ending that winless streak this weekend given their recent form. They have lost their last two matches and now sit just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Indeed, they have been beaten eight times in their last 12 matches in all competitions, with their only two victories in that time coming against teams currently in the bottom three.

Only struggling duo Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers have picked up fewer points on the road this season, with Reading losing six of their nine away games, including their last four in a row.

Under-fire manager Nigel Adkins has Garath McCleary and Anton Ferdinand back available after injury, while Shaun Cummings is also nearing a return, but Danny Guthrie and Jem Karacan remain long-term absentees.

He will also be without Alex Pearce this weekend after the defender was unsuccessful in his appeal against the red he received during the defeat to Cardiff City last time out.

Norwich:

Recent form: DDWLLD

Possible starting lineup: Ruddy; Martin, Turner, Hooiveld, Olsson; Redmond, Tettey, Howson, O'Neil; Hooper, Jerome

Reading:

Recent form: LWLWLL

Possible starting lineup: Federici; Kelly, Hector, Ferdinand, Hector; Robson-Kanu, Norwood, Williams, Obita; Murray, Cox

Sports Mole says: 3-2