JORDAN Obita admitted a spell on the sidelines was the kick up the backside he needed after his return to the first team.

The Academy product was named Royals’ man-of-the-match in their 3-0 victory over Burton Albion on Saturday, lining up as a wing-back in a new team formation.

The 22-year-old produced a fine cross to set up Danny Williams’ goal, and Obita praised Royals’ boss Jaap Stam for leaving him out of the side in a recent spell of games.

“Like any player I am disappointed when I am not playing,” he declared.

“I want to play every game, but I can’t afford to be down about it if I don’t get picked.

"But I know the only way I can change that is to work even harder in training.”

A change in tactics saw Obita play further up the pitch last weekend, with Tyler Blackett tucking in behind him.

And Obita suggested the ploy worked a treat: “I love the wing-back role because you get a lot of freedom and space,” he continued.

“When you have a player as good as Tyler Blackett behind you it gives me great confidence.

“He’s a very good defender and his distribution of the ball is excellent. I know that if I keep pushing forward he will cover my back.”

The victory was the first time Reading won four league games on the bounce since April 2012 and sent Reading up to third place in the Championship.

Stam's men have also kept four clean sheets in that run and the last time they conceded was in the last minute of a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa on October 18.

But Obita said the squad has remained grounded, adding: “We don’t feel there is any pressure on us, we just go out there and enjoy ourselves.

"It’s tough in the Championship to get one clean sheet, let alone four in a row.”

Royals will be looking to make it five league wins in a row this Saturday when they host a Bristol City side which has lost four of its last six games (3pm ko).

Stam will be without the services of injured duo Yann Kermorgant and John Swift and is likely to stick with the majority of the team that swept Burton Albion aside including a second start for Dominic Samuel up front.