ANDRIES Ulderink is backing Reading FC to recover from their FA Cup setback and continue their winning run in the Championship.

Royals host QPR in a hoops derby tonight (8pm ko, live Sky Sports) as they search for a fourth straight league win, and 10th in 12 games.

If Jaap Stam's men come out on top against Ian Holloway's Rangers they will also pile the pressure on the teams above them, closing the gap on second-placed Newcastle to just three points.

Are you in good shape for QPR on Thursday?

Andries Ulderink: “We have no new injuries from the Manchester United game.

“The most important thing is we learn from what we did or didn't do in that game.

“Look at the runs Marcus Rashford made and the positions Wayne Rooney took up. Hopefully our players noticed that and learn from it.

“We rested on Monday but the focus since has been QPR.”

Would you have done anything differently at Old Trafford?

AU: “It is always easy to look back. Manchester United played very well for the first 20 or 25 minutes, but we didn't play how we wanted to play. We didn't play like we have been in the league.

“We try and play from the back. Sometimes we take risks, and it cost us the fourth goal, but for that first period of the match we only played long balls, we didn't take the initiative.

“A couple of players in that moment couldn't do the technical things we had talked about, and that first 20 minutes were the most disappointing thing.

“After that you saw some good things from us, but the game was almost played after going 2-0 down.”

You have bounced back well from heavy losses in the Championship like Newcastle, Brentford and and Fulham this season.

AU: “We have to put the Manchester United game to bed. One of our strengths is that after a disappointing result we can leave it behind us and focus on a new game.

“From what I have seen in training this week the players are ready.”

Will Paul McShane play on Thursday?

AU: “He trained again on Tuesday but it was non-contact. He won't be in the squad for QPR.”

Losing him is a big blow because of his defensive and leadership qualities.

AU: “Yes, but we have lost him in the past and Liam Moore and Joey van den Berg have played together before.

“Of course, you want Paul in your squad but I think we have enough quality in the team to cope without him.”

You have been linked with Liverpool's Tiago Ilori. What can you tell us?

AU: “I have spoken to Brian Tevreden [technical director] and the paperwork is at an advanced stage, it is almost a done deal.

“Brian is waiting for Tiago's side and Liverpool to sort out the last couple of things.

“I don't know the exact details but it is almost done.”

Do you know the player well?

AU: “To be honest I only know him from the many clips I have seen.

“We didn't focus on one option, but we have seen a lot of him on the laptop.”

What are his qualities and strengths?

AU: “He's a fast centre-back and he is good on the ball. He still has things to learn but he has a lot of potential.

“Hopefully he can adapt to our style and show his qualities.”

You have conceded a lot of goals recently. Did that highlight the need for a new defender?

AU: “We started in June and we didn't expect to be third in the table at this point.

“Our focus is more on developing our own style of playing, and winning is a big part of it.

“So we were looking mostly at defenders who could fit in with our style, as we did with Liam Moore, players we can develop and take to the next level like Tyler Blackett.

“Players of that age are very interesting to us because we have the facilities and qualities here to develop them.

“We had a couple of other options in mind, but Tiago is a quality player. We were not looking for the short term option.

“Hopefully it will be done as quickly as possible so Tiago can join the group.”

Are there likely to be any strikers coming in?

AU: “We are always looking for strikers, but I don't think so for the moment.

“Deniss Rakels is coming back and has done some things with the group. He could be back within four or five weeks.

“Joseph Mendes is also fit again, though he is back in France after becoming a father.

“Yakou Meite is developing very well so we're okay in terms of numbers.

“But like Tiago, we are also looking to the long term. We don't want to bring in players for two or three months, but those we can improve over time.”

You are third in the league so is now the time to push for promotion?

AU: “Historically, signing loads of players in the winter injures your team-building process. When players join in January something happens within your team and the way you want to play.

“The process takes time, and we don't really believe in bringing in three or four players like that.

“Really good players from Premier League level cost big money and we don't have that. It's important to be careful.”

Jonathan Bond is back at the club?

“Yes, he's back and training with us.

“Anssi Jaakola came back from a knee injury and played for the Under 23s at Southampton.

“But he had a little setback in that game so we'll have to see how that develops as we don't want to take any more risks in case Ali Al-Habsi gets injured.

“We have good goalkeepers here and like Bondy and Stuart Moore so we have to look carefully at it.”

Rob Dickie is also back from his loan with Cheltenham?

“We will look at that next week because we have a bit of time between the QPR and Derby games.”

How is Callum Harriott?

AU: “He will be out for at least four to six weeks and maybe longer. He will be going back to hospital in a couple of days.”

It's nine wins in 11 league matches now, that is fantastic form.

AU: “Yes, it's a good run and our home record is not bad.

“We're a hard working team but when you think, okay, we are playing QPR who are 18th in the league at home so it's another three points, then we are going to hurt ourselves.

“We are not a team in this league who can think 'we will have an easy game.' We have to be 100% focussed.

“QPR have won a couple of games recently including a good win at Wolves, so I think they have a bit more confidence.

“But beating Bristol City the way we did also gives us confidence, though we can't allow ourselves to think we are going to win every game.”

Is the gap between Championship teams closer than it is in the Premier League?

AU: “I look at Holland and teams in the Championship are far more mature than over there. Players are physically very strong and well organised so it's very difficult to beat your opponent.”

At the start of the season Jaap Stam said he would take 10th place in the table. Would you now?

AU: “A lot of teams like Newcastle, Derby, Fulham and many more have the qualities to go on a run.

“But all you need is a bad couple of weeks and things can go the other way.

“If we are still third in the table in March then I say okay, we go for the play-offs.

“But with 22 games left and 66 points available, there is a long way to go.”

Do you feel you are underdogs given your budget is smaller than a lot of clubs?

AU: “You see Championship clubs sign players for £10-12m in the summer.

“Reading finished 17th and 19th the past two seasons so we have already made a big step as we are currently third.

“I feel it's more of a challenge to stay up there because it makes joining Reading more attractive for players.

“For myself, I don't look too much at money. Okay, some clubs have money, some don't, so you have to be smarter.

“We have a great Academy and maybe our biggest transfer recently compared with other clubs who have signed expensive midfield players is Liam Kelly. It's one of the biggest assets we have.

“Sometimes you wait for the right moment to bring in a young player, but we had already seen it in training and pre-season with Liam.

“He kept on developing and developing and now he's a full member of the squad.”

Any news on the proposed takeover by the Chinese consortium?

AU: “I haven't me them but they have been to a game once or twice.

“I know there are talks going on and in England you have different steps like the Football League board and also the Premier League.

“I know it's somewhere there, but I don't know more than that.”

Does is affect your work?

AU: “Not at all. I have been a manager myself and in all my years in football I have learned to focus on your team because you don't have any influence on what happens around you.”