Neil Adams is struggling to keep a tight leash on midfield duo Wes Hoolahan and Vadis Ofoe as both push for a first team return.

Hoolahan (ankle) and Ofoe (knee) are back in light training but neither is in contention for Reading's Championship visit this weekend.

Adams revealed City's medical staff are also monitoring Alex Tettey (knee), who suffered a knock in the closing stages of last weekend's 3-3 Brighton draw, as well as making sure his fellow midfielders are not rushed back into the fray.

'They are out there running around and doing a few bits and Wes tried to join in on the quiet (on Thursday),' said Adams. 'I think he pinched someone's training bib and we had to send him away but that just shows he is not a million miles away. The physios will tell you a couple of weeks, Wes would say a couple of minutes, but him and Vadis are exactly the same. They desperately want to step up training from running to working on the ball.'

Tettey is poised to return to training today and Gary O'Neil has also overcome his recent groin problems as Adams considers at least one enforced changed for the suspended Bradley Johnson.

'Gary had strains in both groins after the Nottingham Forest game but he is an excellent player and really experienced. He was on the bench for Brighton but has had a good week's training and trained happily and normally,' said the City boss. 'With Jonno missing out through suspension of course players of that quality and one or two others come into the reckoning.

'Alex got stamped on and his knee is a little bit swollen. It's a contact injury and it is a little bit puffy but he is confident he will be able to train.'

Javier Garrido is in the mix again after a recent back problem but defender Ryan Bennett will target Monday's development league trip to Fulham to step up his recovery from ankle surgery.

'He trained with us on Thursday and that was brilliant to see. He did about three-quarters of the session but after the injury and the length of time he has been out he won't be available for Saturday,' said Adams. 'The plan is to play him in the under-21s on Monday and how long he plays will obviously have a knock-on effect. We hope he can play as long as he can and we'll take it from there.

'Javi is fit again now. He had a stiff, sore back. His attitude is fantastic and you know he will be out there if you want him to play but it needed treatment, he had an injection and it kept him out of a couple of weeks, but he is back there now.'