DAVID McNamee is set to start at right-back in tonight's trip to Reading.

The badly sprained ankle suffered by Karl Duguid in Saturday's defeat to West Bromwich Albion has given McNamee the opportunity to stake his own claim.

It is an opportunity Head Coach Paul Mariner believes every player has to grasp.

"He's got great recovery speed," said Mariner. "He's a hard-tackling defender and no-nonsense, which is ideal. He is also good in the air, so he's got all the attributes.

"When the door knocks and the players want to know why they're not in, you have open dialogue with them.

"When they get their chance, they get their chance. The greatest saying in football is: when the ball comes out, then we really see who can play."