Cotterill On Reading Challenge

McDermott led the Royals to the Premier League in 2012 as champions of the Sky Bet Championship, but left in March 2013, just two months after claiming the Barclays Manager of the Month award for January.

While some eyebrows may be raised at McDermott’s decision to head back to Berkshire, Cotterill insists it’s a positive move.

“I know Brian well and it’s good to see him back at Reading,” he told bcfc.co.uk.

“He’s definitely a safe option after the job he did at Reading the first time around.

“I never believe in this theory that ‘you should never go back’ in management, and anyway this time around Reading are under new ownership.”

The Royals ran out 2-0 winners at Ashton Gate in September in the season’s first fixture between the two clubs.

“Reading are a good team, as we saw earlier in the season at Ashton Gate,” Cotterill added. “It’s another challenge for us but one we’ll be ready for.”

There has been no further update on calf injury victim Kieran Agard, who has been absent for the past three matches.