Friday 16th April, ko 6:00pm
Live on Sky Sports, Sky Go. Commentary on TalkSport 2
Mick McCarthy
"The season is never over, if it only mattered when you played for points the players wouldn't compete in training.
"You're always playing for something, your pride, the club, your jersey, the fans, yourself and your livelihood, if that isn't enough to motivate you then there's something wrong."
Sean Morrison remains unavailable through injury, with McCarthy confirming the defender will miss Friday's trip to the Madejski Stadium.
"Sean is still out, the lads who have come in have done very well but when I look back at his performances he's a great leader and we'd welcome him back," said McCarthy.
"He's not for Friday [vs Reading], and then we will have to look at Brentford, he could be a doubt for that as well.
"We hope to see him before the end of the season but we'll see."
Match facts
- Reading are unbeaten in 10 matches against Cardiff in all competitions (W4 D6) since losing 2-0 in the league in November 2015.
- Cardiff are looking for their first away league win over Reading since November 2011, winning 2-1 under Malky Mackay.
- Reading have won three of their last four at home in the league (D1), scoring eight and conceding just twice in this spell. The last time the Royals went five league games unbeaten at the Madejski Stadium was between January and March 2019 (W3 D2).
- After going unbeaten for their first 11 league games under Mick McCarthy (W7 D4), Cardiff have now only won one of their last six in the Championship (D2 L3).
- Mick McCarthy has lost his last six away league matches against Reading, since leading Sunderland to a 2-0 win in March 2004.
Match Officials:
Referee: JOHN BROOKS
Assistants: Nick Greenhalgh and Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Geoff Eltringham