Reading boss Steve Clarke is convinced his men will be in the right frame of mind to tackle Albion tomorrow – despite the counter attraction of the FA Cup.

The Royals will find out who they could face at Wembley when tonight's semi-final draw is made at Old Trafford.

They face a quarter-final replay with Bradford next Monday after a physically and mentally draining 0-0 draw on Saturday. But Clarke reckons he was given evidence of his players’ determination to beat the Seagulls even before he left the away team's changing room at Valley Parade.

He said: “It's a massive game for us. Brighton are below us and, in the last couple of home games, we haven't got the results we need.

“The team will be ready. We spoke very briefly after the game about it.

“I didn't mention Tuesday night. I didn't mention it on purpose. I left it to the players.

“Suddenly the players were talking about Tuesday night."

Reading must decide whether to risk centre-back Alex Pearce, who played on at Bradford with a broken nose.

Pictures of him changing from his blood-splattered kit on the touchline were prominent in media outlets at home and abroad after a bruising tie.

Clarke admits FA Cup excitement is at fever pitch among Reading fans.

But he warned: “The league is the priority until we can get into a position where we can relax a bit.”

Defeats for the Championship's bottom three on Saturday maintained the seemingly comfortable buffers both Albion and Reading enjoy over the drop zone.

But Clarke is unhappy his side must stage their Cup replay two days after league action. He said: “Both teams play this week, both teams play away from home on Saturday. The FA have decided the replay has got to be played on that Monday night which I feel devalues the competition a bit.”

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