The Foxes wrapped up promotion back to the Premier League last weekend and have one hand on the Championship title.

But their 4-1 home defeat to Reading’s play-off rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday night suggests Nigel Pearson’s Foxes are already in party mode.

However, Reading assistant manager Crosby is having none of it.

He told the Chronicle: “I think they probably had their hangover on Tuesday and I don’t expect another one on Monday when they come to our place.

“They’ve been the most consistent team in the Championship and congratulations to them. Anyone who thinks we are in for an easy game on Monday could not be more wrong.”

Royals slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Tuesday and they could find themselves out of the play-off places if they lose to the Foxes and results elsewhere go against them.

Reading’s home form is also a major concern for boss Nigel Adkins as his side have not won at the Madejski Stadium in six matches.

Their last triumph on home soil was a 5-1 thrashing of Blackpool on January 28 and they have picked up a mere three points from a possible 18 on offer.

However, Crosby stressed: “Fans have been patient at home. Leicester will bring loads of supporters and they’ll be in a buoyant mood.

“But I’m sure our fans will stay right behind us because they know they have an important role to play.

“Tuesday was a disappointing night for us all. We have to give a lot of credit to Bournemouth who were fantastic in the first half.

“They played with great tempo and technique and they overpowered us. We had to stop it at half-time and we won the second half.”

The biggest challenge facing Royals over the run-in could be a lack of fit midfielders.

They were missing four first-team regular central midfielders at Bournemouth on Tuesday forcing Adkins to name four wingers across his midfield.

However, Danny Williams has a chance of returning against the Foxes, though Danny Guthrie - who injured himself in the warm-up - could be sidelined for up to three weeks after aggravating a calf problem.

Crosby added: “Losing Danny in the warm up was a massive blow. He played in the middle with Danny Williams at Charlton on Saturday and they were very good for us.

“But both were missing on Tuesday and in all we had five central midfielders unavailable through injury if you add Hope Akpan, Michael Hector and Jem Karacan, while Mikele Leigertwood came on for his first game in more than a year.

“We try not to use that as an excuse but any club would struggle with that.

“It took its toll. We played people in unfamiliar positions just to do a job, but we couldn’t live with Bournemouth in that first half.”

Reading could welcome back Danny Williams for the clash against the Foxes. The midfielder will have a fitness test before the game having missed the defeat at Bournemouth with a knee strain.