Hatters return to League One action
Stockport County will look to maintain their strong start to the League One campaign when Reading visit Edgeley Park on Saturday 14 November. The fixture is the 15th round of the regular season and brings two sides separated by four points in the early promotion race together in Stockport.
The Hatters begin the weekend in second place with 26 points, three behind Huddersfield Town. Oxford United also have 26 points, although they have played one fewer match. Reading sit sixth on 22 points, meaning the visitors arrive within touching distance of the leading group rather than simply making up the numbers.
| Position | Club | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huddersfield Town | 14 | 29 |
| 2 | Stockport County | 14 | 26 |
| 3 | Oxford United | 13 | 26 |
| 6 | Reading | 14 | 22 |
Recent results point to a competitive afternoon
Stockport's recent record has combined cup progress with a mixed run in the league. They defeated Crawley Town 3-2 in the FA Cup first round and beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 in their most recent League One home match. Those results followed a 1-0 defeat away to Oxford United and a 1-1 draw at Northampton Town.
In midweek, County beat Tranmere Rovers on penalties after a match recorded as 0-0 in the EFL Trophy. Reading also faced a shoot-out, drawing 2-2 at Bristol Rovers before losing the penalties 5-3. The Royals had earlier produced a notable FA Cup result, winning 5-0 at Peterborough United, but were beaten 2-0 by Oxford in the league.
Reading concerns could shape team selection
The visitors are dealing with a lengthy list of potential absences. The players named as unavailable or doubtful include Lewis Wing, Paddy Lane, George Earthy, Paudie O’Connor, Jeriel Dorsett, Andy Rinomhota, Benn Ward, Josh Knight and Jacob Brown. The source preview describes seven of those players as regular starters when fully fit, underlining the scale of the selection problem facing Reading.
Brown is reported to be missing from the squad because of rib discomfort. O’Connor is suspended, while Knight suffered a knock in Reading's previous Saturday match. Wing has also been carrying knocks and may be rested. Dorsett and Rinomhota were involved with international call-ups, although the information available says Dorsett was not ultimately included in the national squad and may have sustained an injury. Jack Marriott is not injured and remains available.
Edgeley Park meeting carries extra interest
The match will be the first meeting between the clubs at Edgeley Park this season. The stadium has a stated capacity of 10,852, with the fixture available on Sky Sports+ because it falls during the international break. Robert Madley has been appointed referee; his recorded averages are 4.3 yellow cards and 21.7 fouls per match, and he usually officiates in the Championship.
Recent head-to-head results have favoured Stockport. The clubs drew 1-1 at Reading last season, while County won 3-1 in the corresponding fixture at Edgeley Park. In the previous campaign, the Hatters also won 4-1 away before a 1-0 Reading victory in the other meeting. That latest win was settled by a late Lewis Wing goal in the 89th minute, adding another thread to a contest already carrying significance in the table.
For County, the immediate task is clear: turn their home advantage and second-place position into another result against a Reading side that remains firmly in the promotion conversation. With both teams having endured midweek penalty drama and the visitors facing uncertainty over several important players, the Edgeley Park contest offers Stockport an opportunity to strengthen their position near the top of League One.
- Fixture: Stockport County v Reading
- Competition: EFL League One, round 15
- Venue: Edgeley Park
- Date: Saturday 14 November 2026
