ROY Beerens is confident Reading FC will be in tip-top condition for Saturday's hoops derby at Queens Park Rangers (3pm ko).

Royals boss Jaap Stam has been working hard with his squad on the training pitch during the current two-week international break.

A number of players have been away on duty with their countries including skipper Paul McShane (Republic of Ireland), Chris Gunter (Wales), Danny Williams (USA), John Swift (England U21s) and Sandro Wieser (Liechtenstein).

Stam also gave the remainder of his first-team squad the weekend off to recharge the batteries ahead of a congestive run of five fixtures in a 14-day spell that also includes a home clash against Aston Villa next Tuesday night (8pm).

Former Reading boss Steve Clarke is currently caretaker manager at Villa Park following Roberto Di Matteo's dismissal last week.

Dutch winger Beerens declared: “We have to stay sharp. We will have a couple of days off but we have to make sure we train sharp and make sure we are well prepared for the next game against QPR.

“I’m the kind of player that likes to stay in the rhythm of things but for the squad I think it is good to have a short break from games.

“A lot of the squad have gone on national duty, we will train a lot and train hard as normal.”

Wideman Beerens has played a key role in Reading's encouraging start to the campaign with two goals in 13 league and cup appearances since his summer arrival from Hertha Berlin.

And the 28-year-old says he is still adjusting to Championship football and its unpredictable nature.

“Every game in this league is really tough, I’ve learned that since I’ve arrived,” he declared.

“You can beat everybody but you can also lose, so we have to be prepared for the upcoming games. We want to achieve something so we have to keep on going.

“We have a big squad with a lot of talented players. Everybody can play and everyone has to be sharp for their own place. We all work with each other and it is not down to the individual player.”

A late George Evans equaliser earned Reading a 1-1 home draw against Derby County in their last fixture before the international break.

And Beerens suggested the match was typical of the topsy-turvy nature of the Championship.

“In the first half we controlled the game and they didn’t have many chances,” he said. “In the second half they started quicker and were the better team.

“But in the end either team could have won that game and that is the way this league is.”

He also added: “We hope we can get the fans behind us in the times that we need them.

“We have a lot of confidence and for most of this season we have played well but we know we have things we've got to work on and improve.”