Royals’ lacklustre performance against the Trotters last weekend was met with stinging criticism from some sections of supporters.

However, Kelly insists that a clean sheet against an improving Trotters cannot be discounted.

And he wants Reading to show similar steel this weekend when they visit St Andrew’s.

“It’s my old stomping ground and St Andrew’s is always a difficult place for visiting teams,” warned Kelly.

“Birmingham’s form has picked up since Gary Rowett took over as manager, but we have to go there with the same mindset we had against Bolton.

“We had a lot of chances around their box and from corners. We probably deserved the win but didn’t take those chances.

“When we reflect on it we will feel we missed out on three points. But we kept a clean sheet which is a positive because we hadn’t had one in a while.

“I think fans will agree we looked solid at the back. Adam Federici pulled off one great save, but apart from that he wasn’t tested.

“Overall I think we must remain positive. We won the previous week at Norwich then drew at home. I know we want to pick up wins at the Madejski but we are showing some good characteristics at the moment.”

Kelly left Tottenham Hotspur in 2006 to seek regular first-team football with Birmingham in a £750,000 deal.

During the 2007-8 Premier League season he was the only outfield player to play every minute of every game for his club. He made 86 appearances for the Blues before joining Fulham in 2009 after a brief loan-spell with Stoke.

The 31-year-old recalled: “I’ve got very fond memories of Birmingham. I really enjoyed my short time there.

“Since the new manager has taken over their form has turned around and they are starting to climb up the table.

“They’ve put a run together and they have picked up some good results, so they will be confident.

“But we’ve got to take the positives from our last two games. We won our last away fixture so hopefully we can repeat that.

“We’ve got to be solid in defence and take the game to Birmingham.

“I love going back to St Andrew’s and it will be nice to see everyone, but I want a Reading win.”

Kelly has made a full recovery from the knee problem which has kept him sidelined for the majority of this season, and he is now the club’s regular right-back.

He added: “I feel fully fit now. I’m getting forward and enjoying the games, it’s just nice to be playing again. It’s four games on the spin for me now which is fantastic.

“I was pleased with the clean sheet and it’s something we can build on.

“The back four have played the last few games together now and I think we’re defending well.

“We’re two games unbeaten and you need to put a run together in this league.”

Reading's Anton Ferdinand, Danny Guthrie, Jamie Mackie and Pavel Pogrebnyak remain sidelined through injury and will not make the trip to St Andrew's.