PREVIEW: Luton Town v Reading

While some clubs have come out of lockdown in fine form, Reading have been the exact opposite, taking just one point from the nine on offer.

It had looked like they were on their way to a pressure-relieving win over Stoke City in their first game back, only to concede a last-gasp equaliser.

Mark Bowen's side then lost 2-1 at Derby County, before a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to promotion-chasing Brentford in midweek which means they, like many, are still looking nervously over their shoulders.

A tally of 49 points would have been more than enough in recent campaigns to be safe by now, but this term is different and the Royals find themselves just six points above the drop zone, with six games to go.

Safety is still very much in their own hands though, as after going to Luton on Saturday, they host Huddersfield, visit Charlton and entertain Middlesbrough, which should make the division Reading find themselves in next term a lot clearer before their final matches against Blackburn and Swansea.

It's almost a win-win situation for Luton too as long as the Hatters can triumph in their matches, should Reading do the same, barring this weekend, it will keep the bottom sides within reach, whereas if the Royals lose, they then become a target as well.

Boss Bowen is certainly looking at making changes to his side after the manner of their capitulation to the Bees on Tuesday night at the Madjeski Stadium, saying: “We didn't control the midfield as much as we wanted to.

“When you have (John) Swift, (Michael) Olise and (Ovie) Ejaria, I expect us to control possession more there - I wouldn't mention Andy Rinomhota because I thought he was fabulous on the night.

"He had the courage and the conviction to take the game to the opposition, but too many of my other players were left wanting on the night.

“We'll look at personnel and how to freshen things up. It's about getting back on the training ground and doing the things we are good at and being more focused.

"We'll have a good look (at making changes) and make sure we get a reaction on Saturday.

"I can’t let this group of players just see out the season, we have got to have something to strive for.

"We have to get as high up in the league as we can, especially with an eye on next year now.”

Skipper Liam Moore added: "As captain, I feel a big responsibility to get points on the board and it has to start on Saturday.

"Everybody needs to brush themselves down very quickly. We have to get this game out of our system, puff out our chests, put the shoulders back and continue to work.

"We need to go to Luton well prepared and we have to grind out a performance and a result.

"We will focus on the here and now. That means a trip to Luton, where we have to be right from minute one."

It has been a struggle for Reading since the turn of the as a New Year's Day 2-1 win over Fulham, which made it four straight victories, seems an age ago now.

A 2-0 defeat to Millwall on January started a run of just three wins from 14, as although away, the Royals have enjoyed two victories, at home, it's been tough going, one win since December 26.

Whatever happens this term, Reading are making plans for the following campaign, with Danny Loader turning down a contract extension, Vito Mannone and Adrian Popa both leaving as well.

However, Chris Gunter, Charlie Adam, Tyler Blackett, Garath McCleary, Gabriel Osho and Jordan Obita have all agreed short term deals to stay on, as have the Royals' five loan players, Lucas Boye, Ovie Ejaria, Pele, Ayub Masika and Matt Miazga.

Teenagers Coniah Boyce-Clarke, 17, and James Holden, 18, who was with Luton's academy previously, have agreed pro deals, as has American striker Augustus McGiff.

Team news: Luton midfielder Glen Rea is a doubt for the contest, after suffering a tight thigh in the warm-up against Leeds on Tuesday night.

Kazenga LuaLua is back in training, although the game might come too soon for him, but Luke Berry is fit, leaving just Brendan Galloway and Eunan O'Kane as definite absentees.

Top scorers: Hatters: James Collins (12). Royals: Yakou Meite (12).

Referee: James Linington - Has taken 26 games so far this season with 71 yellows and three reds, his only Luton game the 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff back in February.

That was the first time he had refereed Town since the 4-1 League Two triumph at Exeter in October 2017, while also had Hatters' stunning 2-1 injury time success at Wycombe in September of that season.

Officiated Luton's 3-1 win over Bristol City in the Capital One Cup in August 2015, plus the 1-0 win over Carlisle the campaign before, sending off Luke Wilkinson.

Prior to that, he had Town twice at Kenilworth Road in the 2008-09 season, a 2-1 defeat to Darlington and 1-1 draw with Rochdale.

Assistant referees are Daniel Leach and Mark Jones, with the fourth official James Oldham.

In charge: Mark Bowen – 56-year-old who started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, also playing for Norwich City, West Ham United, Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse, Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic and Reading before retiring, plus winning 41 caps for Wales.

Began his coaching career as part of the backroom staff for the Welsh national side under Mark Hughes, a working relationship that went on to blossom.

Linked up with former Norwich team-mate Steve Bruce when he was manager first at Crystal Palace and then Birmingham City.

Left in 2004 after returning to the Wales national team set-up and was appointed assistant boss at Blackburn in September under Hughes once more.

Followed the ex-Manchester and Barcelona striker to Manchester City as number two in June 2008, leaving in December 2009, before the pair went to Fulham in August 2010.

Once Hughes left in June 2011, Bowen stayed to work with the academy, but then headed to QPR to join up with the Welshman once more for a year, until Hughes was sacked in November 2012.

Bowen then joined Hughes at Stoke City in June 2013, staying with the Potters until January 2018, as he headed to Southampton to take up a position with Hughes again in March, the pair leaving in December of that year.

Became technical consultant for Reading in March 2019, announced as the club's sporting director in August.

Took over as manager in October once José Gomes had departed, extending his contract until the end of the 2020-21 season during January.

View from the opposition: Boss Mark Bowen talking to the club's official website: “When we put things together, and when our mentality is right, then we’ll be more than a match for Luton Town on Saturday, so we have to make sure the mentality is right for that game.

“We have to get points on the board, that’s the name of the game.

"We’ll pick the bones out of the Brentford game – learn from it, prepare as best we can for Saturday.

“When we’ve had poor nights or poor afternoons, we have got a group of players that can bounce back, but I’ve got to get the preparation right for Saturday, and the selection right as well.

“I need to make sure the players who are stepping onto the pitch have the desire and aptitude to get three points for this football club.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re fully prepared for a difficult away trip to Luton, who are fighting for their lives, on Saturday. And we will be.”

One to watch: Yakou Meite – 24-year-old forward who started his career at Paris Saint-Germain before heading to Reading in July 2016.

Spend the 2017-18 campaign on loan with French side Sochaux, returning to the Madjeski the following campaign where he starting to break into the first team.

Bagged 13 goals last term and and was hitting some real form before lockdown this season, with six in the 12 games prior, making it 12 for the campaign.

Played for both: Ben Roberts - Goalkeeper started out at Middlesbrough and joined Luton on loan in February 2000, playing 14 Division Two games, keeping two clean sheets.

Headed to Charlton in the summer of 2000 and then joined Reading on loan in January 2002, playing six times for the Royals.

Ended his career with Yeovil, injury forcing retirement at just 29, but moved into coaching and now works for former club Brighton.

We've got form: Luton have enjoyed some great days at Kenilworth Road against their opponents from Berkshire over the years since matches began with a 4-0 FA Cup first round qualifying clash, way back in October 1888, the fourth match ever in the club's history.

They went on a six game unbeaten in the Southern and United League, before a first defeat in 1903.

Town then put a 10 match undefeated run together, including a huge 7-1 win in 1912, as although suffering back-to-back defeats in the 1920s, did enjoy a 6-0 Division Three win, Ernie Simms scoring four times.

That led to a spell of mixed results, although Luton did earn another thumping 6-1 triumph in 1932, while Malcolm Macdonald's hat-trick sealed a 5-0 victory in March 1970.

Town have had the upper hand for the past four games, unbeaten now since 1996, a 2-1 Division One reverse.

In total, the sides have met 44 times, Hatters winning 25 games, drawing nine and losing 10, scoring 101 goals and conceding 49, only drawing five blanks in that time.

Last time out: Luton enjoyed a 3-2 win over the Royals in their last meeting, that a Championship fixtures on February 17, 2006.

The Royals were the runaway leaders of the division at the time, but Town produced a superb performance to end their visitors' run of 33 games unbeaten

The Hatters fell behind inside 60 seconds, Kevin Doyle on target, but Rowan Vine's quickfire double (20 and 26) gave them the lead.

Dean Morgan netted against his old club six minutes into the second half as although Doyle pulled one back in the closing seconds, Luton held on.

Hatters: Marlon Beresford, Kevin Foley, Leon Barnett, S Davis (Peter Holmes 81), Kevin Nicholls, Markus Heikkinen, Carlos Edwards, Ahmet Brkovic, Dean Morgan (Enoch Showunmi 83), Steve Howard, Rowan Vine (Warren Feeney 80).

Subs not used: Dean Brill, Russell Perrett.

Referee: Kevin Wright.

Attendance: 8,705.