It’s going to be one of the most crucial games of Reading and Rotherham’s season so far when the two teams face off at the Madejski Stadium.

A defeat for either side could be fatal and could see them lose their place in the Championship by the end of the season.

Reading will come into this one as slight favourites, despite being behind the Millers in the league table.

Under Jose Gomes, the Royals have looked like a completely different team, and they’ll be hoping to make it back-to-back wins on home soil this weekend.

But if they are to achieve that, they’ll have to do it without one of their key men, who has been ruled out through injury.

Andy Rinomhota has been hugely impressive for Reading this season and has been a rare bright spark in a breakthrough season for the young midfielder.

The 21-year-old has made 16 starts so far in this year’s campaign but hasn’t featured since Reading’s goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday a fortnight ago.

The Royals badly missed his presence in the centre of the park last weekend as they were dominated from start to finish by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

His absence will be a real boost to Rotherham’s chances of coming away from the game this weekend with a positive result.

If Rinomhota was involved, he would have controlled the game from minute one, but his absence will leave a noticeable void in the centre of the Royals midfield.

Rotherham fans will be fancying their chances now, and it’s set up to be a nervy but interesting game between the two relegation-threatened sides on Saturday afternoon.

If the Millers can gain a foothold in midfield, then they will cause the Royals all sorts of problems in this game.