JAKE Cooper believes Reading FC are showing the kind of fighting spirit needed to challenge for promotion, writes Anthony Smith.

Royals have staged two rousing comebacks in the past 10 days after going 2-0 down against Huddersfield in the FA Cup before winning 5-2.

Then on Saturday they fell behind to a goal from Sheffield Wednesday’s Gary Hooper before Cooper equalised with 16 minutes to go in the 1-1 Championship draw.

It was the ex-Forest School pupil’s first goal of the season and Reading’s first from a corner in a staggering 187 attempts.

Centre-back Cooper, 20, is now attracting interest from Premier League clubs with reports suggesting Stoke City and West Ham are tracking the defender.

Cooper stated: “I think we played well on Saturday and deserved at least a draw.

“It was disappointing to go behind again but I think it showed the fight we have in this team to come back and take a point.

“That was twice last week we came back from early goals. If we can cut out the mistakes then we can really push on this season.

“I’m not sure why we keep letting in early goals, it’s one of those things that happens.

“The main thing is we stop doing it in our upcoming matches.”

After Hooper’s early goal on Saturday, Reading bossed the majority of the match only for Matej Vydra to miss a penalty and new signing Yann Kermorgant to squander a gilt-edged opportunity at the death.

“I think we had plenty of chances to get the win and I think that’s what we deserved if I’m honest,” added Cooper, who has been linked with West Ham.

“But this is a hard league and I guess a draw against a good team like Sheffield Wednesday was a good result.”

Cooper had scored two Reading goals before last weekend and both came in a 2-0 win at Norwich City in November 2014.

“It was my first goal of the season and my first at Madejski Stadium so I’m happy,” he beamed.

“I want to score as many as I can for the team. I really enjoy going up for corners, getting my head on things and being a threat in the opposition box.

“I will only do that when the time is right and the main thing is I defend well.

“The past week has been decent for us and now we look ahead to Walsall in the FA Cup because we intend to get through to the next round. Every game is important to us and another cup run would be great.”

Meanwhile, Reading Under 18s will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Youth Cup on Friday, February 5 (7pm).

The tie will take place at Molineux less than 24 hours before Brian McDermott’s first team take on the Midlands club in a Championship fixture.