The youngster has started a one-month loan stint with English League Two outfit Southend United and celebrated his first start with a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Leyton Orient.

The 21-year-old told the Reading Evening Post: “It is a great chance for me to get some games in and that is better than sitting on the bench not doing much.

“The one thing I haven’t really done is play many league games so this is a great opportunity."

When the loan spell is up though, Federici will return more determined than ever to stake his claim for the Reading custodian's job.

Federici, one of the players to emerge with credit from the Olyroos campaign in Beijing, said: "I am desperate to push Marcus all the way and hopefully when I come back I can knock the big man of his perch.

“My dream is to play for Reading. I have worked so hard over the years for that and that hasn’t changed one bit.

“I’m going to train my heart out and just try and get in there.

“I can’t do any more and Marcus can’t do any less because he has played so well."