Reading would likely give Rovers a run for the Championship’s most unpredictable team with Tony Mowbray admitting the Royals can ‘be anything they like’.

Mark Bowen’s side have won two, drawn two and lost three of their matches since the re-start and were the first side guaranteed to be in the Championship next season, with no play-off hopes or relegation concerns.

They have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches, hit Luton for five last month and only four teams have won more on the road this season, but sit 14th.

Their form has picked up since former Rovers assistant Bowen took charge in November, but Mowbray said of the Royals: “They’ve had an up and down period.

“My analysts have been watching them, so that process has started. What will Reading bring? They have a physicality and some quality at the top end of the pitch.

“They have spent some money at the top end of the pitch, (George) Puscas and (Yakou) Meite, (John) Swift in midfield is a very talented footballer.

“Reading can be anything I think. At their best they can be very good, at their worst they’re there to be beaten.

“We respect every team, Mark Bowen is a very experienced football guy, been in the game a long, long time, worked with Sparky (Mark Hughes), here at this club as well.

“They’re all tough games, I never look at any game and think ‘this is easy we don’t have to prepare for this, just turn up and win’.

“We have to prepare, they have some real threats at the top end of the pitch, good footballers in midfield, it’s a test for us but one that we should look forward to.

“We’re at home, we should be looking for three points and enjoy the football match.”