Sheffield Wednesday visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm) and sit ninth in the Championship, seven points above the Royals.

They’ve scored just 21 goals in 27 outings this season but Clarke has warned that their terrific form on the road makes them a dangerous prospect.

“They’re a team that seem suited to playing away from home,” he explained. “They’ll sit in and defend well and will look to cause us problems on the counter attack and from set plays.

“It’s a challenge but one that we’re looking forward to.

“Maybe they’re more suited to playing away as they can get a little bit stretched at home with a large crowd behind them encouraging them to attack.”

Sheffield Wednesday’s goal record is the joint worst in the league along with Blackpool, who sit 21 points below them at the foot of the table.

Their saving grace is a defence that is second-best in the league having conceded just 23 goals all season - and Clarke says that their high standing in the league is evidence of what can be achieved with a solid backline.

“It shows you the value of having a strong defence,” he added. “If you can have that sorted then you only need one or two goals to win a game which is why I primarily try and sort a defence out.”

The Reading boss confirmed that Chris Gunter will miss this game and be out for approximately three weeks with an ankle injury picked up in the win at Cardiff.

Anton Ferdinand and Hope Akpan also remain sidelined.