Matt Upson has labelled Albion’s Amex double-header a “big moment” in the season.

The Seagulls entertain Reading today and Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday. Oscar Garcia’s side are two points behind Reading with a game in hand and eight adrift of QPR in the Championship play-off race.

Veteran centre-half Upson believes the next two matches, although not conclusive, will be significant in Albion’s fight for a top six spot.

The former Reading loanee told The Argus: “I think it’s a big moment in the season. You always look back on every league season and there are a couple of moments along the way that you think ‘That was a turning point or that week was big.’

“I think the next two games, just given the proximity of the teams in the league to us and they are two home games, are a great opportunity for us.

“Having said that, if we don’t get the results we need there are a lot of games to play and we are still right in there, so it’s an exciting time.”

Upson expects Reading to be more of a threat than they were in a tame 1-0 exit from the FA Cup at the Amex in January. He said: “I would have thought so but who knows? All we need to worry about is ourselves and that we start the game in a very positive, aggressive fashion.

“We are at home, we have to take the game and play our stuff and be on the front foot. I’m really excited about it, really looking forward to the game.”

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