On 21 May Reading released senior players Zat Knight, Jure Travner, Danny Guthrie, Yakubu.
Callum Reilly made his first start of the season, and Birmingham lost to two Danny Guthrie free kicks.
Due to the form of Danny Guthrie and Kevin Nolan, Barton had to play left wing when he returned.
Danny Guthrie replaced a suspended Barton only to be substituted for Wayne Routledge later on; Peter L鴙enkrands replaced Ameobi who was then substituted for Nile Ranger.
On Saturday 13 September 2008, Fagan suffered a broken tibia after being on the end of an " horrific tackle " by Newcastle United midfielder Danny Guthrie.
Reading won the match 3 2, and Knight-Percival scored an own goal in the 38th minute of the game, after misjudging a cross from Danny Guthrie.
Despite playing regularly as a deep lying midfielder, he lost his place after the January transfer window with the arrival of Wayne Routledge and Danny Guthrie's excellent form in central midfield.
Newcastle did get a penalty of their own after a Chris Kirkland took Andy Carroll out in the penalty box and Danny Guthrie added a consolation goal at the end of a lacklustre performance.
As full-time approached, Danny Guthrie was sent off for a foul on Craig Fagan, which broke Fagan's leg and caused him to miss several weeks of football while injured.
Controversy arose after the game when it emerged that Danny Guthrie had refused to travel with the team to Sunderland, stating that his " head was not in the right place " to play.