Mark Bowen is hopeful that a sickness bug affecting his squad doesn't have too much affect ahead of Saturday's clash with Preston North End at the Madejski Stadium (3pm).

Bowen is preparing to take charge of his first match as the new manager of Reading but might have to do without the services of Michael Morrison, who is ill.

Bowen said: "I have got to get the team as best prepared as I can, mentally and physically because of everything that has been going on.

"I don't want any baggage in their mind but I am always a half-full glass man so I am going into the weekend's game with the squad I have got and thinking there is no reason why we can't win that game.

"We have had a bit of sickness in the camp and Michael Morrison had to go home from training [Tuesday] with a stomach bug so we will see how he is."

Preston are flying in the Championship as they come into the game sitting third in the table.

Bowen added: "It is going to be a difficult game.

"It was almost the same last year when I came in. Reading were fourth from bottom and Preston were flying so we have to be on a mettle."