Nicky Shorey hopes for morale-boosting victory for Reading against QPR

Brian McDermott backed the decision to postpone the match (Getty Images)

Reading defender Nicky Shorey is hoping the Royals can secure a morale-boosting victory against QPR when they travel to Loftus Road for their Capital One Cup third-round tie tonight.

The Berkshire club are yet to win in the Barclays Premier League this season and have only a 3-2 win over Peterborough in the second round of the League Cup to their name.

England international Shorey returned to the Madejski Stadium over the summer after four years away from the club and the 31-year-old wants to kick-start Reading's stuttering season.

He said: "I think we have been a little bit disappointed in a few of our performances this season so we definitely want to go out there and show what we are all about.

"We have earned the right to be in the Premier League and the more games we play we will gradually show that.

"You want to win any game you are playing in and if we can do that on Wednesday hopefully we can take that to Saturday (against Newcastle), which will be a hard game.

"It doesn't matter what game you are playing in, winning games breeds confidence and the pride of a professional footballer is going out there and putting in a good performance."

Reading boss Brian McDermott has confirmed he will look to make a few changes to his starting line-up for the game at QPR and Shorey, who has made one appearance so far this season, is hoping to be involved along with a number of players looking to push for a more regular place in the team.

"I think there are a lot players champing at the bit," he said. "They want to be involved and show what they can do and I'm sure they will get the opportunity."

QPR could also make several changes, but after a summer of spending at Loftus Road Shorey believes manager Mark Hughes has a strong pool of players to choose from.

"They have got a massive squad," he said. "Some real quality players and I think it is just a matter of time and gelling them together and they will come good with the quality they have brought in but hopefully that will be after Wednesday."

Despite a poor start to their league campaign Shorey would like to see Reading have a run in the cup.

He said: "In this competition if you win one or two games you can find yourselves in the latter stages pretty early and it is something to look forward to so we are definitely going out to do well in this competition."

PA