Bony looks set for a first start but there won’t be big changes for Cup encounter

SWANSEA City will play their second game in just four days when they take on Reading in the third round of the EFL Cup tonight.

Paul Clement has revealed that he won’t make wholesale changes to his side for the game at the Madejski Stadium, although he will make a few swaps from the side that started against Tottenham to keep his team fresh for the Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday.

Wilfried Bony will be looking for his first start since returning to Swansea while new recruits Roque Mesa and Renato Sanches will be hoping to get some much needed minutes under their belts in Berkshire.

But there are several players who won’t feature against the Royals, including Kyle Bartley, Ki Sungyueng and Nathan Dyer.

With that in mind, here’s the side that could take to the field against Jaap Stam’s side... Kristoffer Nordfeldt The Swedish shot stopper started in the 4-1 win over MK Dons in the previous round and is likely to make his second appearance of the season for the Swans, replacing first choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski for the game against the Royals. Angel Rangel The Spaniard was another who started against MK Dons in round two, and expect the 34-year-old to come in for Kyle Naughton who will be rested ahead of the clash with Watford at the weekend. Alfie Mawson Clement may not get the chance to rest Mawson like he did for the game at MK Dons as Mike van der Hoorn is a doubt having been withdrawn late on against Tottenham at Wembley while Kyle Bartley - the man Mawson replaced in the last round - remains sidelined with a knee injury. Federico Fernandez Due to Swansea’s injury problems in the centre-back department, expect Clement to revert to a back four, with Fernandez once again partnering Mawson at the heart of the defence. Martin Olsson The left-back has played every minute of every game for the Swans so far this season and should retain his place against Reading. Roque Mesa The £11m signing has had to be patient since joining the Swans from Las Palmas in summer, but he could well get the nod at the Madejski Stadium as Clement looks to give the Spaniard the chance to impress. Renato Sanches Sanches was taken off just before the hour mark at Wembley but could well get another run-out against Reading as Clement looks set to return to a diamond formation. It means the manager may leave out one of either Sam Clucas or Tom Carroll. Tom Carroll The 25-year-old got 87 minutes in the previous round win at MK Dons and will aim to be the man that makes Swansea’s midfield tick given that some of those around him will have played far less than Carroll this season. Leroy Fer Fer netted twice in the win at MK Dons and could well be the man tasked with spearheading the midfield diamond against the Royals. Wayne Routledge and Luciano Narsingh are also options. Tammy Abraham The striker got off the mark for Swansea in the second round of the EFL Cup and will no doubt get the chance to shine once again as he looks to add to his tally of two goals for the club. Wilfried Bony After back-to-back substitute appearances for the Swans, Tuesday night provides Clement with the perfect opportunity to give Bony his first start since re-joining the Swans. Probably harsh on Jordan Ayew if Clement does leave the Ghanaian out, but the fans will no doubt be excited to see what Bony can do when given a starting berth. Predicted Swansea City XI to face Reading: Nordfeldt, Rangel, Mawson, Fernandez, Olsson, Mesa, Sanches, Carroll, Fer, Abraham, Bony.