Reading FC manager Veljko Paunovic has challenged his team to ‘recover’ their form in their FA Cup tie against Kidderminster Harriers.
The Royals make the trip to the Midlands on Saturday against National League North opposition as Paunovic aims to win his first cup tie since being in charge of the club.
Reading let a two-goal lead slip late on against Derby County on Monday, but the Royals boss insisted that they have had a positive few days of training since.
“I mentioned how important it is to recover fitness levels and it’s been very good, very intense and sharp,” said Paunovic.
“We are not in a situation where we will have to postpone games. At this point we look good and most of the guys are recovered.
“We have a few players who are in the last stage of recovery and might be involved.
“We want to win the game for many reasons. We want to recover our confidence and the best way to recover shape and form is by winning games.
“There is an opportunity for players that need to recover their form to perform.
“We will put a team out there that will be competitive.
“There will be changes definitely, even at this point we are assessing players recovering from injury.
“The good thing is we have five substitutions available to make for this competition, but if it doesn’t go our way and we have to play extra time, you have to be aware of that.
“I want to win the game and improve my record in the cups.”
Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie will be the first time in two decades that Reading has faced non-league opposition.
Paunovic continued: “Unfortunately, covid impacted us in a month that looked very good for us to use the fa cup game strategically to boost our form and confidence, now we have to readapt and adjust our plans and approach.
“We’ve watched a few of their (Kidderminster) games.
“They look good are organised and have experience.
“They are dynamic in a track with their front four who are capable of scoring goals and complicating their opponents.
“Everyone on their team wants a place in the Championship or leagues above, so they will be very motivated and we have to go into the game knowing we must be very competitive.”
