BRIAN McDermott will attempt to recreate the same team spirit that has fuelled Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League title challenge at Reading FC next season, writes Anthony Smith.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has turned the top-tier's perennial under-achievers into genuine title contenders with a potent blend of youth and experience.

His achievements have not gone unnoticed by McDermott who, despite playing and working for arch-rivals Arsenal, has nothing but respect for the job the Argentinian is doing.

And McDermott admits he would love to create the same atmosphere with Royals next season.

“It's an amazing story,” he admitted. “I watched Spurs play on Monday night and thought, 'wow!'

“You look at them and it's about spirit, ability, working together and fun.

“I know they are winning games, but they look like they're enjoying themselves when they play.

“They want to run around and work for each other.

“To be fair, our players are working hard to get results too. We are where we are.

“But you try and create that atmosphere with the youngsters in there Like Pochettino has because it is great to watch.”

And he stressed: “We've always had a lot of youngsters ourselves.

“There were five Academy players in my team that won the Championship in 2012.

“I don't put them in for the sake of it, I put them in at the right time.”

Reading have won only six times in 22 Championship games under McDermott since he was re-appointed in December as Steve Clarke's replacement.

McDermott's men have also lost their last four league games heading into tomorrow's 'hoops derby' at Queens Park Rangers (3pm ko).

But Royals boss believes recent results have not matched performances on the pitch.

“We had a lot of possession against Birmingham but didn't create a lot, Middlesbrough away was a horrible in so many ways. We managed to lose the game which was a real tough one.

“It was also tough for me personally to lose at Leeds. We were 1-0 up and in control, but ended up losing again. Then we stared well against Hull on Tuesday but lost.

“All the ingredients are there. Players are working hard, trying to play and trying to pass it.

“We're not losing 4-0, we're losing games that could go either way.

“We have to be on the right side of those results, but that's the Championship where there are such fine margins.”

Reading are likely to be boosted by the return of fit-again right-back Chris Gunter for the trip to Loftus Road.

His Wales team-mate, Hal Robson-Kanu, has also returned to training after recovering from an ankle problem and could be available for Reading's final home fixture against Preston on Saturday week.

“As far as players coming back, Chris Gunter should be available and Hal Robson-Kanu should train today (Friday), so maybe he will be close the following week,” added McDermott.

However, left-back Jordan Obita remains unavailable after picking up a knock in the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough recently.