READING FC's John Swift insists the Royals are a much improved team since the last time they faced Newcastle United ahead of tonight's crucial Championship clash (8pm ko).

Royals welcome table-topping Magpies to Madejski Stadium and will be keen to avenge the 4-1 thumping they suffered at St James' Park earlier in the season.

But midfield star Swift believes Jaap Stam's men have come a long way since the bitterly disappointing defeat on Tyneside back in August, insisting Rafa Benitez' men will be in for a tough test.

He said: "People will be writing us off because they are such a good team but it's a massive game for both teams. Anything can happen and hopefully we can come out with the win.

"It was disappointing last time but it was right at the beginning of the season so the lads hadn't been together that long.

"We are going to go into it heads clear and give them a big problem.

"You have to say were are better now, we have worked together longer and now we all have more experience in the Championship.

"Going off what happened last season nobody expected us to be where we are. The whole team has done so well to carry on our form and hopefully we can push on.

"It was a good start to the season but we need to end it well too."

The Royals currently sit in fifth place in the Championship, 13 points behind league leaders Newcastle and seven points clear of seventh-placed Fulham, who have a game in hand.

In what has proved to be a tough run of games, Stan's men have recently suffered defeats to promotion-chasing duo Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town.

However, Jaap Stam's men returned to winning ways on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Madejski Stadium.

Swift continued: "The two teams we have lost against recently are great teams, there is a reason why they're up there.

"We got a bit unlucky in the games but we go into every game the same.

"We need to cement our position for the playoffs but we need to look and try to make the top two also."

Reflecting on Saturday's win, Swift concluded: "It was a massive three points and overall we deserved it.

"We got the first goal which we deserved but we switched off and they scored, then they had the momentum.

"We practised free kicks on the training pitch and all credit to Macca (Paul McShane) for putting it in. He did the hard job I just put it in the area.

"But we dug in and got the victory so credit to all the players."

Reading could welcome back Garath McCleary for tonight's clash after winger sat out Saturday's win against Wolves with knee and abdomen problems.

Menawhile, the Magpies have no fresh injury worries and recently welcomed back former Reading transfer target, Dwight Gayle, from injury, the ex-Crystal Palace striker scoring their last goal in a 3-1 win at Huddersfield on Saturday.

Stam confessed: "It's going to be a hard game. Newcastle have got a lot of quality within their squad.

"Rafael Benitez has about 50 players, but that's what happens if you're working at a big club with the funds to make a good team.

"We're going to work very hard to get a result, as we want to work hard for the fans and to stay up towards the top of the table."

  • See the Chronicle website for live coverage of tonight's match from Madejski Stadium.