The Olyroo, who recently agreed a new deal at the Madejski Stadium after a successful loan spell at Southend, has earned his chance due to Marcus Hahnemann's injury.

Federici made his second successive start in Saturday's 3-1 win at fellow Coca-Cola Championship promotion contenders Birmingham and is now relishing the prospect of games against Cardiff and Southampton over Christmas.

The 23-year-old told the club's website, www.readingfc.co.uk: "It's fantastic to start in a game like that, live on TV, away at Birmingham, and I am just buzzing.

"I'm so happy to be playing and I can't put into words how good it is to play. Now I can't wait to play another two games in three days, my family are coming over from Australia and I'm over the moon to be playing.

"There was massive expectation on both teams on Saturday, if they won they would have gone clear so for us to win and go second is absolutely fantastic.

"We are flying now, and we'll look forward to Cardiff on Boxing Day."

Reading's win at Birmingham lifted them two points above the third-placed Blues but they are still seven points behind leaders Wolves.

Cardiff are also well placed in fifth as they prepare for their trip to Reading, with Burnley and Sheffield United, who face Wolves at Molineux on Friday, making up the play-off places in fourth and sixth respectively.

Wolves remain the team to beat in the division having underlined their status as promotion favourites with three successive wins.

They will face a Blades side whose form has been inconsistent with only one win in their last six games and who could be without top scorer James Beattie.

Former Everton striker Beattie is doubtful with a calf injury and fellow forward Darius Henderson is also missing through suspension.

Birmingham, having lost their last two games, will hope to get their challenge back on track at Ipswich while Burnley will look to keep themselves in contention as they host Barnsley.

Crystal Palace and Preston, who are outside the play-off places only on goal difference, host Norwich and Derby respectively.

Elsewhere, in a full programme of Boxing Day fixtures, bottom side Doncaster take on fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

It is a crucial match for Rovers, who could find themselves six points off safety if they lose and Southampton pick up a win along the south coast at Plymouth.

Manager Sean O'Driscoll told Rovers World: "We know we can compete in this division if we approach every game properly. We just need a little bit of things to go our way."

Charlton, the other side in the bottom three, are away at QPR. Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool, Swansea v Coventry and Watford v Bristol City make up the fixture list.