Billy Davies has told his Nottingham Forest players not to be lulled into a false sense of security by Reading's FA Cup exertions.
The Royals will arrive at The City Ground on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) for the Kids for a Quid fixture still on a high following their shock cup win over Liverpool.
They beat the Merseysiders 2-1 after a physically and emotionally draining 120 minutes of action at Anfield on Wednesday.
And boss Davies has warned his players not to expect to face a side showing signs of fatigue.
"We can talk about how Reading were tired at the end of the game if we've won," he says.
"But until we've won the game and done the job I would certainly advise everyone not to go down that route or even think about that.
"They will have been given a great lift by their performance at Anfield.
"What we have got to do is earn the right to pick up points this weekend and forget all about their result and performance against Liverpool.
"We've got to concentrate on the run we've been on, the quality of football we've been playing and the way we've got our results so far."
Forest's 18 match unbeaten run came to an end with Tuesday's narrow FA Cup defeat at Birmingham.
And they know victory on Saturday would take them four points clear of third-placed West Brom who play table-topping Newcastle on Monday.
Reading are without a win in five Championship games but Davies adds: "We don't expect any favours from anyone and never have done. It will be the same again this weekend.
"They had a great result against Liverpool and we know they will be a dangerous side because of their work ethic and they way they go about it.
"But we must do what we do - we've got to prepare ourselves to hopefully go and pick up three points.
"The only way we are going to do that is by showing some better quality than the opposition and being prepared to want it more and work harder than them."
'Forest's Championship clash with Reading is the third 'Kids for a Quid' fixture of the season.
All U16 tickets are just £1. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nffcretial.co.uk or by calling 0871 226 1980*
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