READING FC's Ali Al-Habsi urged his Royals' team-mates not to underestimate relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers when they visit Madejski Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

Following two emphatic victories against play-off contenders Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, Reading face a different kind of test when they welcome 22nd placed Rovers.

The Royals battled to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Garry Monk's Leeds on Saturday evening, leapfrogging the Whites into fourth place in the Championship.

With just seven games remaining Reading now find themselves seven points clear of seventh place, but Omani shot-stopper Al-Habsi warned his team-mates to treat Blackburn as a must-win game.

"It's going to be a different game," asserted the 35-year-old.

"We need to recover quickly and try to get the three points.

"We know now that lots of the teams we are going to face are fighting for their lives down at the bottom of the table.

"Blackburn and Nottingham Forest and Wigan, these teams are fighting to stay up so it will be hard.

"But we are fighting to be in the top six and we need to continue doing what we are doing.

"We are so proud of what we have achieved this season, we enjoy the way we play and the confidence we have."

Al-Habsi was kept fairly quiet during Saturday's crucial clash against Monk's men, barely making a save throughout the 90 minutes.

However, he was awarded for a string of heroic saves against Sheffield Wednesday by being named the club's player of the month before kick-off.

White the vetern goalkeeper had a quiet game, fellow 35-year-old Yann Kermorgant stole the show with a stunning half-volley to give Reading the three points.

And Al-Habsi heaped praise on the Frenchman, adding: "He's fantastic, he scored the goal but you can forget the goal. He's incredible, the effort that he puts in. He never stops he just fights.

"He scores goals then he's back defending and that's exactly what we need for the last seven games."

Reading's Danny Williams rolled his ankle during Saturday's feisty fixture, but Royals' boss Stam is hopeful the USA international will be fit to face Rovers.

The Dutchman continues to sweat over the fitness of skipper Paul McShane however, who was ruled out against Leeds despite taking part in training.

But Al-Habsi said regardless of who starts the match, everyone needs to be ready for a tough encounter.

He concluded: "We are doing very well but we need to focus against Blackburn because it's another big game for us.

"We need to carry on winning our home games, we need to win all our home games between now and the end of the season.

"We are very confident, especially at home because we have won so many games here.

"Our home form puts pressure on other teams when they come here.

"We have to keep going all the way until the end because you never know what is going to happen in this league."