Ladies News:
Reading are hoping Georgie Blackwood can help them inflict Surbiton’s first Investec League defeat of the season when they meet at Sonning Lane on Sunday (12.30).
The New Zealander will be making her first home appearance, having bagged a hat-trick on her debut in last Saturday’s 5-0 win at Beeston.
Blues will be missing Alex Danson and Susie Gilbert due to the Champions Trophy in Argentina. But Surbiton are even more depleted as they have four players in the England squad.

Since the Blues held them to a goalless draw at Sugden Road on the opening day of the season in September, the Surrey side have played nine Investec League games, winning eight of them and drawing the other
They are three points clear at the top of the table.
Reading are down in seventh place, three points behind fourth-placed Holcombe, but head coach Merijn van Willigen is confident his side can continue to make progress.
He said: “Other results went our way last Saturday to keep us in touch with the top four, and we will be looking to close the gap even further by beating Surbiton.
“Then, after Christmas, we can build up a strong challenge for the top four and the play-offs.”

Mens News:
Sunday sees a double header with Surbiton, as the men’s teams meet in the NOW: Pensions League at 2.30pm.
Reading will be without both their international forwards Tom Carson and Simon Mantell.
Carson, who scored the winner in last Sunday’s 3-2 victory at Beeston, is with England as they prepare for the Champions Trophy in India starting next week, while Mantell remains sidelined with concussion.
Mantell, as well as Timmy Lewis, have not played since being injured in the game against Southgate nearly two months ago.
Blues lost 3-1 at Surbiton on the opening day of the season despite taking the lead through Ben Boon.

It is a big day for the club on Sunday.
In addition to two matches, there will be the official opening of the pitch by outgoing president John Miller, as well as the annual lunch for vice-presidents.

Reading’s NOW: Pensions League match against Cannock, which was abandoned two weeks ago due to heavy mist, has been re-arranged for Sunday week, December 7 (2.30).

Reading squads
Men: Tommy Alexander, Rick Mantell, Richard Springham, John Jackson, Tim Atkins, Will Carter-Keall, Chris Newman, Dan Shingles, Jonty Clarke, Jack Clee, Ben Boon, Jon Codling, Jack Whelan, Max Heaver, Peter Scott, Todd Freedman.

Women: Sarah Ellis, Abi Harper, Kate Richardson-Walsh, Emily Maguire, Leah Wilkinson, Elie Barnes, Tina Evans, Emma Thomas, Ashlie Craddick, Sarah Jones, Charlotte Daly, Becky Halle, Georgie Blackwood, Wiz Hunt, Ellie Cockburn, Olivia Saligoi.