Reading midfielder Harvey Knibbs has called on his teammates to ensure Saturday's derby with Wycombe Wanderers becomes a 'turning point' for the third-tier basement side.

The Royals sit 10 points adrift of safety in League One and stare at the prospect of a first-fourth-tier campaign for over 40 years unless results significantly turn.

Fresh from an international break, over 1,800 are making the short trip over the Buckinghamshire border to Adams Park, the first league meeting at this venue that fans can attend for over 20 years.

Matt Bloomfield's Chairboys are chasing the play-offs and had a match on Saturday in the EFL Trophy.

Speaking after his goal against Arsenal Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Knibbs has called on the festive season to be the moment fortunes turn.

"We need to really target this Christmas period to be a turning point in the season. We believe the quality is good enough in the dressing room, now we just have to start kicking on. No more excuses.

"If you can’t get up for a local derby like that then what else can we? It can really be a turning point. We want to get that win for the away fans."

Reading conceded twice in stoppage time at Shrewsbury Town before the break, ticking their wretched away run into a whole calendar year without a victory on the road.