WITH one win and three defeats from their first four games, Reading are just three points above the bottom of the table Clarets.

And in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, manager Alan Pardew has talked about making changes.

Pardew said: "There could well be changes. We don't want to keep playing well and not getting anything.

"This is a points business and at the moment we've only got three."

The most likely alteration to his side could involve a first start of the season for the experienced Chorley born midfielder Phil Parkinson.

The former Bury player has made over 350 League appearances for the Royals and, at 34, is nearing the end of his playing career.

He has already been earmarked for a coaching job with Reading but having played his part in getting the club promoted he is determined to make an impact at this level.

While he is very much a fixture at the club, one new signing is desperate to be given his chance in the side.

Pardew added Fulham's American keeper Marcus Hahnemann to his squad in the summer after he had a successful spell on loan at the club in the promotion winning season.

In six games he never finished on the losing side and they won the last four matches he played as he kept a clean sheet in every match. He is putting pressure on current custodian Adrian Whitehead.

At the other end Jamie Cureton's four goals in four games should ensure he keeps his place alongside Martin Butler in attack with Nicky Forster continuing to play down the right side of midfield. Former England international John Salako will play down the other flank.

The only win of the season saw them come from behind against Sheffield Wednesday courtesy of a brace from Cureton in the second match and they know they have to get as many points as possible at home if they are to avoid an immediate return to Division Two.

The last time they came up to the first division they actually reached the play-off final before letting a 2-0 lead slip against Bolton at Wembley.

Just staying up will be the first target this time around although, unlike most of their rivals, they have the backing of a major benefactor in chairman John Madejski.