Ref-Watch: Blackpool (A)

The last time Geoff Eltringham refereed a Reading game, he left Nigel Adkins fuming after booking Chris Gunter for diving after the right-back was clearly tripped in the box by Blackburn's Grant Hanley in November 2013 in a 0-0 draw.

He did apologise (not that it made Nigel feel in better), so hopefully they'll be no hard feelings between Geoff and Gunter at Bloomfield Road.

Whether he's learnt not to hand out cards left right and centre like it's everyone's birthday is another matter. So far in 2014-15, the County Durham official has officiated 30 games, handing out 78 yellow cards and seven reds - three of which were handed out in successive games back in November.

Eltrigham has never gone more than five games without giving a penalty so far this season, and having not given one in over a month, I'm sure he'll be resisting the urge to point to the spot on Tuesday night to award his TENTH pen of the campaign.

A former Sunderland fan, Geoff had to give up his Black Cats season ticket in order to become a referee, and was named on the Football League's list in 2009. Since then, he's taken charge of just two Royals fixtures - a win 1-0 at Derby in 2012, and the aforementioned bore draw at Ewood Park last season. An unbeaten record for once.

As well as Gunter, Eltringham has previous with another Royal, giving a penalty against Zat Knight when Bolton hosted Crystal Palace in 2012, which ex-Madjeski loanee Glenn Murray tucked away. The links just keep on coming!