The biggest second division crowd of the season is expected to watch Oxford United at Reading tomorrow, writes Jon Murray.

But that will be more down to the success of Alan Pardew's second-placed Royals than the attraction of bottom-of-the-table United.

The biggest Division 2 gate so far has been the 15,443 who packed into the magnificent Madejski Stadium to see Reading's local derby with Wycombe, but 2,000 more tickets have been sold in advance for the Oxford game than for the Wycombe match.

And although United will probably take fewer than 2,000 supporters, Reading officials are confident of a near-18,000 attendance.

Oxford fans, still trying to get the disappointment of the 2-1 derby defeat at Swindon out of their systems - because on that day United were the better team - will be wondering how Mike Ford's team, who have conceded 23 goals in seven away games, can hold in check a Reading outfit who have struck 25 goals in seven matches at home.

The attacking partnership of Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton, a bargain 250,000 buy from Bristol Rovers, have been irresistible, ex-Cambridge centre forward Butler hitting ten goals in the last nine games for 12 this season, and Cureton bagging ten (nine for Reading and one for Rovers).

United's central defence of Jon Richardson, Andy Linighan and Lee Jarman, who looks likely to play because Jon Shepheard pulled a hamstring in the 2-0 defeat by Wigan, will need to be on the very top of their game to keep those two at bay.

An incentive for all the Oxford players will be the knowledge that consultant Joe Kinnear will be at the game to cast his eye over who he thinks is good enough, and who is not.

A poor individual performance, and they could find themselves overlooked if Kinnear then signs a replacement.

Kinnear watched the second half of the behind-closed-doors friendly with Reading at Reading's training ground at Sonning on Wednesday, which finished 1-1.