"Both teams are fighting for something"

Lucas Joao expects a tough game against a Luton Town side battling for promotion

Reading striker Joao says the team is ready for the fight against a high-flying Hatters side visiting the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Wednesday evening, as both sides are battling at opposite ends of the Championship table.

The Angola international insists that nothing will be taken for granted and, given the visitors' formidable run of form, Reading will need the backing of the crowd to compete with a stubborn Luton Town team.

Joao also credited the home crowd for supporting the team through some turbulent times, as well as contributing to the Royals' emphatic home record. Only six sides have picked up more points at home than Reading this season.

"It will be a tough test – this year Luton are doing very well and fighting for the playoffs, while we are fighting to stay in the league. So, both teams are fighting for something. It will be a good clash and I hope we will get the three points because we are at home and we want to the points to stay with us.

"What an atmosphere it was on Saturday and thanks to the fans for being with us through a difficult period. We’re going to do all we can and having the fans behind us makes things easier for us.

"This year we’ve had a good run at home and that shouldn’t stop over these next two games. Like I said we want those points to stay in Reading. Winning at home is a must."

Lucas praised the team's collective effort for the clean sheet against Burnley on Saturday - the first time Reading have shut out a team since Watford in the FA Cup back in January.

The striker believes that keeping things tight at the back gives the forwards a platform to go and score goals and win games for the team.

The 29-year-old, who started alongside Kelvin Ehibatiomhan against the Clarets, says that he and his fellow frontmen complement one another - no matter which of the forwards starts the match.

"The clean sheet was important on Saturday and it was a collective effort from the whole team. But I’m still a forward! I like to score goals and the clean sheet gives me the security to score goals and do my job for the team. I have to score as many goals as I can and I know that if I do that I can help the team get out of this situation. Of course, scoring is good for me and the whole team.

"We have a lot of good options and they all make good partners. They have all different qualities, but all of them make good partners. We are all good friends and we try to help each other. It’s about making each other’s jobs easier as a striker and we all want to do the same thing – which is to help the team."