Reading FC: Andries Ulderink declares - 'We don't care who we meet in the Championships play-offs'

Royals guaranteed a top-five finish with last weekend's battling 1-0 home win against Wigan Athletic, sending the Latics down to League One in the process.

If Jaap Stam's men win at Burton Albion this Sunday (12pm ko) they will finish third in the table and meet Fulham in the semi finals.

The Cottagers are assured of sixth position unless they lose by a mammoth scoreline at fourth-placed Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United in seventh pick up a massive victory at Wigan to overturn a goal difference of 13.

The chance of that happening is highly unlikely, though Reading could still meet fifth-placed Huddersfield - who sit one point behind and host Cardiff City this weekend - or the Owls depending on results.

But assistant manager Ulderink says Royals will not fear anyone, stating: “After training there were a lot of questions about who we want to play in the play-offs and 'what about Burton?'

“But we will go to Burton to try and win that game. So that answers the question because when we win we will play Fulham.

“It's not because we'd like to play against Fulham or want to play against Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday. We don't have any favourites, all we can do is try and win at Burton.”

Reading have beaten Sheffield Wednesday home and away this season, while both fixtures against Huddersfield ended in 1-0 home wins.

Royals and Fulham also won at home against each other, though the Cottagers could have a psychological edge after romping to a 5-0 victory in West London in December.

However, Ulderink says the main thing is Reading end the regular season on a positive note.

“When you look at yourselves as a team, you don't want to go into the play-offs with a s****y feeling because we didn't perform against Burton,” he admitted.

“We'll be giving everything to win that game because it's important to go into the play-offs with confidence and with a win.”

Andries Ulderink sends out a message to midfielder, George Evans.

Burton secured their Championship status for next season with a 1-1 draw at Barnsley last weekend, though Ulderink does not expect Nigel Clough's side to roll over on Sunday.

“It's their last home and I read somewhere they will have a lap of appreciation afterwards,” he warned. “So after the good season they've had, I don't think they want to lose three or four nil.

“We saw that against Rotherham. They were meant to be 'on holiday' but gave us a very difficult game and then beat Ipswich in their next match.

“As a sportsman you are not lying on the beach, you want to win every game. That also goes for Burton.”

Despite being the highest-ranked side in the Championship play-offs, Reading are the least fancied team to win them with most bookmakers.

However, Ulderink believes there is a steely resolve about the squad.

He said: “We had our lap of appreciation at the stadium after the Wigan game. I went into the dressing room afterwards and it was very quiet.

“The players came off the pitch and there weren't a lot of handshakes, everyone just stood on their spot.

“There was more a feeling that we'd played badly against Wigan, there wasn't a feeling that we'd reached the play-offs.

“But when we trained again a couple of days later it was okay.

“So there was no big celebration afterwards. Everyone is just looking forward to the play-offs now.”

He continued: “We're gathering all sorts of information on the three teams we could face, but for the moment the preparation has been for the Burton game.

“Of course, some players will be thinking of the play-offs, but we also want to finish as high as possible in the league.

“It's still in our own hands and the gaffer told the players it's better to be third in the league than fifth. We want to be third.”