Reading v Leeds United: Confidence high after Leeds results improve

Defender Andy O'Brien, whose loan deal from Bolton Wanderers has been extended to January 4, says the recent results have transformed the atmosphere at the club's traing ground.

"I remember my first day in training, it was very quiet and I said to one of the lads 'is it a sponsored silence in warm-ups?' He explained they had lost four of the last five and just suffered a bad defeat against Cardiff – so I suppose that is a testament, because now it's loud and bubbly and bright." he said.

Manager Simon Grayson was keen to keep O'Brien after losing club captain Richard Naylor for another six weeks following knee surgery.

Naylor had missed the previous six games but a decision to operate was only taken after he complained of pain following a 90- minute work-out in the reserves.

"It's the injury he picked up a couple of weeks ago and, although he played for the reserves, he had a bit of a reaction so we needed to get his knee tidied up," said Grayson, who is still without central defender Patrick Kisnorbo due to a long-term Achilles injury.

Leeds are currently fifth in the Championship table but only three points ahead of today's opponents Reading who sit in 11th after four games without a win.

Grayson is looking for his side to carry on the good work from last weekend's 1-1 draw at Norwich City.

"We're not frightened of going anywhere, and that's not being blase," he said. "I have a belief in the players and they are playing with real desire and spirit. Last weekend was up there with our best performances. The players know, if they do the right things, they are capable of getting the right results."

Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in 1-1 draws and Reading have now drawn their last three games.

"They are a good side with a lot of quality," said Grayson. "It has all the ingredients of being another great game again. It's another full-house, we'll have a big support, and we're looking forward to it."

Grayson, meanwhile, plans talks with Sunderland next week over extending the loan of full-back George McCartney.