Royals boss Mark Bowen played down the importance of Saturday’s trip to Wigan after his side lost to Leeds United at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite an impressive return of ten points in his first four games, Bowen’s side will go to Wigan on the weekend just two points clear of the Latics who sit in 21st place.

Bowen refused to call Saturday’s game a six pointer, claiming that he has ‘never been a great believer in must win games’.

READ MORE - Five key issues facing Mark Bowen ahead of Reading's trip to Wigan Athletic

“We’ll come back and make sure we are at it on Saturday at Wigan and I know we will be.

“People call them six pointers and must win games; in fairness I have never been a great believer in must win games.

“If we need a win on the last game of the season to stay up, that is a must win game.

"I look at the way we're set up now and I'm convinced we'll climb the table. We'll start winning games again soon.

"Leeds went top of the league on Tuesday night and that showed the fine margins between any of the teams in this league.

"It's those little things you've got to put right every week to make sure you've got a better chance of winning games."

Opinion: Perspective is important, the last two games will not define the season

Bowen also confirmed that all of his strikers are fighting for a place in the starting XI, after seeing his side draw blanks away to Brentford and at home to Leeds United.

“It is a decision that I have got to make over the next few days. We have got strikers that are pushing for a starting place, young and old.

“They’re all waiting and chomping at the bit. I think over the last few weeks the form of the team has turned around without any question and I see a desire in the players eyes to produce, win games and climb the table.