Sheffield Wednesday will look to improve on their recent form and further cement their spot in the play-off positions when they face fellow top six side Reading at Hillsborough on Friday night.

The Owls found themselves in sixth following an impressive run of results, but a sequence of just one win in their last five Championship games means their position is coming under threat from Fulham, who are just one point behind the Yorkshire outfit going into this weekend’s fixtures.

Last time out they were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa at Villa Park, and things don’t get much easier this week when they come up against the team that is one place and two points above them in the standings.

The Royals have been on a disappointing run themselves – losing three of their last five – but Jaap Stam’s men have proved over the course of the campaign that they are a dangerous side.

Here are three Reading players that could help dent Sheffield Wednesday’s play-off hopes on Friday…

Yann Kermorgant

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The Frenchman has established himself as Reading’s key striker this season and with nine league goals to his name, he will be the main scoring threat for the visitors on Friday night.

However, as the 35-year-old has proved over his career, he offers far more than just putting the ball in the back of the net.

Kermorgant has also provided three assists and 32 key passes for his teammates this term, while he is also a danger in the air – he has won 185 aerial duels in 33 Championship outings.

Garath McCleary

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With nine fixtures of the Championship season still remaining, the Jamaican winger is already enjoying his best ever goalscoring campaign for the Royals.

The 29-year-old has scored eight league goals in 34 appearances for Reading this term, and after also providing seven assists and 60 key passes, Sheffield Wednesday will need to try and stop the attacker getting on the ball on Friday night if they are to take a positive result in Yorkshire.

John Swift

Reading midfielder John Swift in action against Brighton and Hove Albion

Like McCleary, Swift is enjoying an impressive goalscoring season from midfield.

The 21-year-old netted seven during a loan spell with Brentford last term, and he has already matched that in the Championship with Reading during this campaign following a permanent move from Chelsea in the summer.

Swift has shown that he has a key eye for goal – especially from outside the penalty area – and Sheffield Wednesday players must be aware that they can’t afford to give the midfielder any space around the box.