Wolverhampton Wanderers could climb into the playoff places in the Championship table with a victory over Reading at Molineux this weekend.

Kenny Jackett's side missed the chance to put pressure on those above them last weekend, only managing a draw with Bolton Wanderers when fifth-placed Brentford and sixth-placed Watford had both already lost.

It could have been worse for Wolves, though, as they needed a 95th-minute rocket from James Henry to rescue a point that brought them to within two points of the top six.

Their goal difference remains an issue, but Jackett will be confident of soon regaining his side's place in the playoffs following a fine run of form that has seen them go eight league matches unbeaten.

Four of those games have come in front of their own fans, and it will be more than two months since they were last beaten at home in the league by the time they face Reading this weekend.

They will be further boosted by the return of Bakary Sako from the Africa Cup of Nations, although goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a broken metatarsal.

Ikeme's absence will allow Tomasz Kuszczak to get a rare run of fixtures between the sticks, while Henry's equaliser last time out could be enough for him to have earned a recall to the starting XI.

Reading, meanwhile, are one of six teams currently locked on 34 points in the Championship table, but hopes are high that they can continue to climb the standings following a recent upturn in form.

Steve Clarke's side eased past Sheffield Wednesday last weekend to extend their unbeaten run to three matches in all competitions, while they have only been beaten once in their last six league games.

The improvement has been based on a stubborn defensive record in recent weeks, with the Royals having kept three clean sheets in their last four league outings.

Away form remains an issue, however, with Clarke yet to pick up a win on the road and only three teams having amassed fewer points than Reading on their travels all season.

The Royals were responsible for one of the more surprising moves on transfer deadline day as they brought in veteran striker Yakubu, but the Nigerian could be forced to settle for a place on the bench as Clarke looks to ease him back into English football.

Fellow January arrival Nathaniel Chalobah should be involved from the start once again, however, while Pavel Pogrebnyak is the man expected to lead the line having joined Chalobah on the scoresheet against Wednesday.

Wolves:

Form in Championship: WWWWDD
Form in all competitions: DWLWDD

Possible starting lineup: Kuszczak; Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Iorfa; Edwards, McDonald, Sako, Afobe, Henry; Dicko

Reading:

Form in Championship: DWDLDW
Form in all competitions: WDLWDW

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

Sports Mole says: 3-2