Royals on high after Cardiff draw

Last updated : 03 February 2011 By BBC Sport

Reading keeper Adam Federici says that his side's 2-2 midweek draw at Cardiff is a confidence boost ahead of Friday's meeting with Championship leaders QPR.The Royals came close to winning at Cardiff on Tuesday night, but for Craig Bellamy to equalise in the 97th minute.

"We matched them in every department and outplayed them in some," Federici told BBC Berkshire.

"It just shows how much quality we have in our squad and it was a major boost for us," added the Royals number one.

Neil Warnock's table-topping Hoops won 3-1 when the two teams met at Loftus Road in November - but Federici says that game will have little bearing on Friday night.

"That was away from home," said Federici. "It was always going to be tough.

"They were on a massive roll at the start of the season. But things are different now and we're the team at home."

Despite Reading facing their third game in seven days, Federici says that the squad are well prepared.

"We're used to playing a lot of games in a short space of time and the pressure of playing three games in a week," he said.

"Your mentality doesn't change because of what time you play or what day you play.

"It adds a bit of spice to it that we're on television as well and I'm sure the boys are looking forward to it."

Reading start the evening in eighth place, knowing that victory would take them within a point of the Championship play-off pack.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport