Published: Friday, 19th February, 2010 9:00am

Royals reach for the sky in Tangerine test

by Anthony Smith

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Captain's salute: Matt Mills captained Reading to victory at Crystal Palace. But will the talented defender keep the armband at Bloomfield Road?

READING will let the plane take the strain by flying to Blackpool tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm ko).

The club has chartered a flight from Farnborough this morning for the clash at Bloomfield Road which comes slap in the middle of two other away fixtures.

In-form Reading beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night to make it fours Championship wins on the trot and climb out of the relegation zone.

They also travel to West Brom next Wednesday night for an FA Cup fifth round replay (7.45pm ko).

So boss Brian McDermott felt a 450-mile bus trip to Blackpool during a congested spell of games could sap his players' energy levels.

He told The Chronicle: "We have a tough run of three away games so we're going to fly up to Blackpool.

"It only takes an hour compared to six hours in a bus, and that's before you come back.

"Spending that much time on a bus isn't good for the players so I thought the plane was easily the best thing to do.

"We've done it in the past and the players should definitely feel the benefit because they will have much more time to rest."

And it seems the players are more than happy to ditch the motorways for the airways.

Goalkeeper Adam Federici, who made some outstanding saves at Selhurst Park, admitted: "You just have to try and relax on the coach because travelling up and down the country does take a lot out of your legs.

"There would be a few tired legs after three bus trips in a week and when we do finally have a break there will be a few tired people."

However, Federici says the Reading squad make the most of the hours they spend together on the road.

"We're here to play games and I can't think of anything better than actually playing," he added.

"There are a few card players in the team at the moment and Andy Griffin has brought poker back to the bus.

"That used to be Glen Little and Ibrahima Sonko's thing on the back of the coach.

"We also have Sky but it often cuts out so usually a dvd goes on and you try and waste a few hours."

Reading beat Blackpool 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium in November to end an 11-month winless streak at home.

And they head to Bloomfield Road with one of the best away records of any side in the division.

Royals have won six times on the road in the league and only Cardiff City (7) and West Brom (8) have won more.

But the Tangerines are traditionally strong at home and the poor playing surface at Bloomfield Road will not help Royals' style.

McDermott may tinker with his squad and rest one or two players given the hectic schedule with Gylfi Sigurdsson pushing for a start.

Whether skipper Ivar Ingimarsson is recalled remains to be seen after the 32-year-old was "rested" at Crystal Palace on Wednesday with his place taken by Blackburn loan defender Zurab Khizanishvili.

"I had a conversation with Ivar," he explained. "We just rested him. Obviously we've got Zurab who is a top international and it's good for Ivar to have the time off."

In Ingimarsson's absence Matt Mills wore the captain's armband for the very first time.

It completed an incredible turnaround for the 23-year-old who made just seven starts under Brendan Rodgers following his £2 million move from Doncaster Rovers last summer.

Now he is the mainstay in McDermott's defence and Royals' boss said: "It's down to Matt. He got the captaincy and he was outstanding at Palace, as were the back four.

"He won some fantastic headers and I think he's really come on in the last six weeks."

And a rejuvenated Mills admitted: "My season started when Brian came in.

"As a player you need the confidence and backing of your manager and Brian has given me that in abundance.

"You need to be given a platform to play first team football which has happened since Brian took over."