Reading head to the iPro Stadium looking to end a run of nine league games without a win against a Derby side that must win to ensure they make the play-offs.

Victory would mean very little in the grand scheme of things after a bitterly disappointing season for Reading supporters but Clarke says it would be a nice way to end a peculiar six months in charge.

“It'd be a little ray of sunshine for the players and the supporters,” he said. “The supporters are suffering as are the players but even a win won't mask a disappointing season.

“There'll be a full house, a lively atmosphere so we go there with positive hopes and trying to end the season well.

“The players are hurting. No one likes to lose games and there'll be a reaction on Saturday.

“It's been a strange season. There's been a lot of good performances and a lot of things to like but ultimately the results haven't been good enough.

“The form in the latter part of the season hasn't been where we want it to be but people who are at the games will tell you performances have been ok.

“We've been missing goals. We've struggled all season with that. When Glenn Murray was in the team earlier in the season they were easier to come by but since he's left it's been harder.” Clarke has been in the job less than five months and currently holds a worse record than Nigel Adkins had when he was sacked.

It's been a steep learning curve for Clarke, which he admits himself, and the Royals boss is hoping that it'll benefit him and Reading next season.

“It's been a difficult six month but in a strange way I've enjoyed it,” he added. “You're always learning about yourself.

“It's been good for me, the first taste of the Championship so it's also a learning curve for me and a process that'll make me a better manager in the future and hopefully we'll see that next season at Reading.

“I'm used to being at clubs that win more than they lose. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger as they say so it's been good character building.

“It's been different for me, a different league, different players, having to handle so many disappointments isn't something I've had in a long time but I've enjoyed it.”