Promotion-hopefuls Reading host Championship leaders Newcastle United on Tuesday night (8pm kick-off) going in search of a third consecutive home win.

Jaap Stam’s men overcame struggling Wolves 2-1 on Saturday to get back to winning ways after defeats at Huddersfield and Brighton, with the victory also consolidating their place inside the top six.

The Royals remain seven points clear of Fulham in seventh after a 19th win of the campaign, and given that they have only lost twice at home all season in the Championship, Stam’s men will prove a tricky test for the Magpies on Tuesday.

However, Rafa Benitez’s men will be full of confidence after beating both Brighton and Huddersfield away from home in the last seven days, with their 2-1 success at the AMEX Stadium backed up by an equally-impressive 3-1 win at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

It means that the Magpies are five points clear at the top of the division and 11 points ahead of the Terriers in third, and victory at Reading on Tuesday would put them firmly in the driving seat for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Nonetheless, the Royals will also have gained confidence from their win over Wolves on Saturday, yet Stam may decide to alter a few things ahead of the visit of Benitez’s side.

Thus, here are THREE Reading players who deserve a chance against the Magpies on Tuesday night…

Jordan Obita

Tyler Blackett had a less than convincing afternoon against Wolves on Saturday, with both Helder Costa and Nouha Dicko getting success down the Reading left, and that was ultimately where their goal came from.

And, with former Manchester United defender Blackett still not performing consistently enough to warrant a regular starting role, fellow left-back Jordan Obita should get the nod against Newcastle.

The 23-year-old has started 20 of the Royals’ 35 Championship games this term, but is arguably a better full-back than Blackett, who has actually looked better on the left side of a back three this term.

However, if Stam plays with four at the back against the Magpies, Obita should get the nod over Blackett.

George Evans

Reading will undoubtedly need some more steel and resilience in the midfield against Newcastle on Tuesday, so expect George Evans to come back into the starting eleven.

The former Manchester City midfielder was dropped to the bench for the Wolves game at the weekend after a less than convincing effort against Brighton the week before, although his defensive skills and ability to break up play and keep things simple could be invaluable for the Royals on Tuesday.

Evans should be reasonably fresh for the visit of Benitez’s men, given that he only played 19 minutes against Wolves, and in comparison to a Newcastle side that have played twice on the road in five days prior to Tuesday, he could be exactly what Reading need to dominate the midfield on Tuesday.

Garath McCleary

Winger Garath McCleary was rested against Wolves having started 32 of Reading’s 35 Championship games this term, as well as taking a few knocks and niggles along the way.

However, after over a week since his last game, the Jamaican international should be back near full fitness, and that will surely mean that he’ll return to the starting eleven on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old has scored eight goals for the Royals in the league this term and laid on seven assists to outline his absolute significance to this Reading team, and with the Newcastle players potentially fatigued after two away games in five days, McCleary’s pace, trickery, and directness could be invaluable for Stam on Tuesday night.