Reading FC defender Tyler Blackett warned his teammates he is determined to stay in manager Mark Bowen’s side.

The former Manchester United starlet made just his seventh appearance of the season as Royals put Derby County to the sword in an emphatic 3-0 win.

Welshman Bowen switched to a back four and deployed Blackett at left-back as Reading claimed back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.

There is plenty of competition in that position, with Omar Richards and Jordan Obita both battling for the spot.

But Blackett, who can also operate at centre-back, said: “I just want to be on the pitch.

“I’ll play anywhere on the left and I’ll do my best in any position I play in. It’s good to have versatility and I’m more than capable of playing anywhere.

“Of course I’ve been frustrated, any player who wants to play gets frustrated when they don’t play.

“You just need to keep the right mindset and be ready for when that opportunity comes.

“It’s one of those things. Sometimes in your career you go through spells when you’re not playing.

“It’s about persevering. You have to keep going, keep focusing and support your teammates who are playing. When it’s your time though you have to be ready to play.”

Reading got off to a flyer at Madejski Stadium when Yakou Meite was hacked down inside the box by Derby defender Scott Malone.

Charlie Adam made no mistake from 12-yards while Malone took himself for an early shower after the referee brandished a straight red card.

Bizarrely, Reading then found themselves under the cosh for the remainder of the first half and needed goalkeeper Rafael to keep them ahead at the break.

But their one-man advantage paid off as Lucas Joao scored a second before Meite added a third from the spot.

Reflecting on the game, Blackett added: “We did what we needed to do.

“Sometimes when a team lose a man they pile players forward and go for it. We knew we needed to ride out that period and get through it.

“We tried to rush it a bit. It was a game to keep possession and make them work. It paid off in the end.

“The aim was to keep the ball moving so the gaps would appear and we could get goals.

“We talked all week about getting another clean sheet. Now we just need to keep them coming and we’ll be able to get results from that.”