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For Reading, Friday's FA Cup Quarter-Final gives them a chance of just a third semi-final in over 140 years of existence so unsurprisingly it's kind of a big deal. With that in mind you'd like to think we'd have our best team available but sadly Brian McDermott has a fair few injury concerns even before Tuesday night's game at Huddersfield.
With Yann Kermorgant out cup-tied the fitness of Matej Vydra becomes even more important but the Watford loanee is continuing to struggle with a hamstring injury that's seen him return to his parent club for treatment. The forward was fit to take place in the post-game small sided game after the Fulham draw and Brian was optimistic he'll be OK for Friday.
Speaking to the BBC on Vydra, McDermott confirmed he'll miss out for the trip to Yorkshire...
"I think it's too early for him on Tuesday, some staff will stay behind Monday and travel up on Tuesday to make sure everyone is right for Friday."
Likewise Captain Paul McShane missed out on the Fulham game and was replaced by Anton Ferdinand in the starting lineup...
"It's a slight calf injury.... He won't be ready for Tuesday, we're hoping he'll be ready for Friday but I don't want another injury to a centre-half on Tuesday so I have to be mindful of that."
Completing Brian's injury concerns is forward Hal Robson-Kanu who went off at half-time against Fulham after scoring a first-half double....
"He's got a knock on his Achilles, it's disappointing for him but we have to look after him. He won't be involved on Tuesday, let's try and get him right for Friday....It's too early to tell if he'll be right."
While Reading have worries, so do Crystal Palace who were dealt a further blow ahead of their home defeat to Liverpool by the news that striker Connor Wickham faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury. The former Reading Academy forward has struggled for fitness throughout the campaign but had bagged four in his last two Premier League games, so his absence will be a relief for the Reading backline.
In other Eagles injury news, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey missed the 2-1 loss, which gave former Reading keeper Alex McCarthy a rare run out. Sadly, the distribution problems that plagued Alex during his time at the Madejski Stadium cropped up again in a big, game changing way.
Football is a game of high and lows, I'm sorry to all you palace fans but I didn't mean to slip! Great support as always!
— Alex McCarthy (@Alex_Macca23) March 6, 2016
I'd like to say I hope he rebounds on Friday but that would be a big fat lie, so he can return to form as soon as we're through to Wembley.
Palace are done until Friday's game but as mentioned it's a midweek adventure to Huddersfield for Reading so fingers crossed they come through that injury free.