Alex McCarthy has admitted that he is hoping to improve as a goalkeeper following his breakthrough into the Reading team.

The 22-year-old has been preferred to Adam Federici by Brian McDermott recently and claimed that he is pleased with his early season form.

McCarthy told the Reading Post: "I'm hoping to continue in the same vein, but I'm only taking one game at a time.

"I have been pleased with my performances so far and I'm looking to push on in every game.

"I would have rather kept on playing every week and keep the momentum going rather than have the international break. But it's been nice to get a couple of days off."

The Royals make the trip to Anfield on Saturday to face Liverpool.