Van den Berg doubtful but Martin in line for Reading FC debut against Millwall

Reading FC midfielder Joey van den Berg. Credit: Eddie Greville

Reading FC go in search of their first home league win in more than two months when they host Millwall on Saturday.

Jaap Stam's side defeated Burton Albion 3-1 in midweek to edge further away from the relegation zone.

They are now six points off the bottom three places and can draw level on 35 points with Millwall if they beat them.

Royals are sweating on the fitness of Dutch midfielder Joey van den Berg who limped off during Tuesday night's game at the Pirelli Stadium.

Here is all you need to know about this weekend's big game.

When and where

The match takes place at Madejski Stadium on Saturday, February 3.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

How to follow the game live

getreading will be providing live updates of the game on Twitter. Make sure you follow @getreadingfc for the latest news as well as Jonathan Low's account @jonathanl50.

And keep an eye on the getreadingfc Facebook page for news and pictures, including a fan gallery.

Is it on TV?

The game is not being televised, but you can follow Jonathan's commentary on Twitter and listen on BBC Radio Berkshire.

Channel Five will have highlights of the game in Football on 5 from 9pm on Saturday evening.

Team news

Reading: New loan signing Chris Martin could make his debut after joining on deadline day from Derby County.

Fellow loan signing Tommy Elphick is expected to start after coming off the bench at Burton.

Midfielder Joey van den Berg will be assessed late on following a knock but John Swift, Omar Richards and Paul McShane are all out with hamstring injuries.

Tommy Elphick. Credit: Eddie Greville

Millwall: New signing Tim Cahill, 38, will have to wait for his first start after rejoining the club.

Boss Neil Harris could give a debut to Ben Marshall who was signed from Wolves on a loan deal until the end of the season, but striker Steve Morison is a doubt.

Manager views

Jaap Stam: "Like several other games, in the reverse fixture (a 2-1 defeat) we didn't get what we deserved.

"We went 1-0 up but then they scored an equaliser from nothing then again and we lost the game.

"That's how Championship football is, we've experienced it quite a lot this season so we need to deal with that better on Saturday."

Millwall boss Neil Harris. Credit: Getty Images

Neil Harris [on Morison's fitness]: "It was a real shame not to have him involved on Tuesday – even if just on the bench to play 15 minutes. It tells you what sort of state he was in not to be able to be involved.

"We’ll monitor him before Saturday. It is always a big ask for our strikers when we’ve got three games in a week. But if need be then we will do that."

Head-to-head

Reading have beaten Millwall 41 times, lost to them 36 times and there have been 23 draws.

This will be the third time the two sides have met this season.

The first meeting came in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August which Royals won 3-1 but they lost 2-1 to the Lions at the Den in the league at the end of September.

The last time Reading lost at home to Millwall was in January 2001 - a run stretching back 10 games.

Officials

Referee: Andy Davies

Assistant referees: Geoffrey Russell and John Flynn

Fourth official: Gavin Ward