Published: Friday, 22nd January, 2010 8:00am

Relegation battle can wait as focus turns to Cup

by Anthony Smith

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BRIAN McDermott is refusing to look past Saturday's FA Cup clash with Burnley as Reading head into a run of games which could make or break their season (12.45pm ko, live on thefa.com).

The fourth round tie against the Premier League Clarets will be followed by five crucial league matches, starting with a trip to promotion-chasing Sheffield United next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).

After the tasty reunion with Blades' on-loan Reading midfielder James Harper at Bramall Lane, McDermott's side then face potential six-pointers against Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Derby County - three of which are at home.

And it is the results from those games alone which could determine their season after Sheffield Wednesday's win at Blackpool on Tuesday left the Royals marooned in the bottom three.

But McDermott insists his focus remains on the FA Cup clash with last season's Championship play-off opponents Burnley and nothing else.

"We have a big FA Cup game this weekend and I'm not looking too much further ahead to be honest," revealed the Royals' caretaker boss.

"I believe it is really important that we concentrate on the here and now because if we look too far forward or too far back we will become anxious.

"We are focused on what we can do in our next game because it's pointless looking further down the line. I know what players are like and they will get anxious.

"Let's get Saturday out of the way then look at Sheffield United and whatever comes next."

Reading dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup last week by securing an historic 2-1 victory in the third round replay - the club's first ever win at Anfield.

But that was followed by a 2-1 Championship defeat at Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

"We just want to carry on from the second half performance at Forest and do our best to get through to the next round," said McDermott.

"People say it's a distraction but not for me. It's our next game, it's the FA Cup and we'll try and win it."

And he added: "Our supporters are going to be massive over the next 21 games. We're going to need them in the position we're in.

"I know they'll get behind us. They were terrific at Forest, they saw we were trying to get something from the game."

McDermott also admitted: "It's a big few months ahead for us. I'm not going to make predictions but I'm absolutely confident there's enough quality in our squad.

"We'll look to Burnley and do what we've got to do. But everyone must dig in, including those who aren't playing, all the staff and everyone around the club, it's so important."

McDermott is likely to field the same side that beat Liverpool against Brian Laws' Burnley, with Gylfi Sigurdsson due to return after missing Forest with a bruised foot.

Brynjar Gunnarsson could also reclaim his place at right-back, while Grzegorz Rasiak and Simon Church are the likely front pairing, leaving Anfield hero Shane Long on the bench.

Former Royal Andre Bikey is unavailable for the Clarets as he is competing in the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon.

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