The 22-year-old won tickets for last season's FA Cup final on the back of his sixth round exploits against Manchester United.

The Australian helped the Royals to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford before Sir Alex Ferguson's men won the replay 3-2 in Berkshire.

Steve Coppell's side begin this season's Carling Cup campaign at Swansea tomorrow and Federici was already dreaming of reaching Wembley.

He said: "It was good going there to watch the final last season but all the time I was thinking 'I wish that was me out there'.

"I admit I felt jealous just being a spectator. It's not the same watching while other people are playing.

"I feel there is a chance we could go all the way in this competition. There are always big upsets in the cup and we have already proved we can compete with the big clubs.

"We know it will be tough first of all against Swansea. I admit I don't know much about them but we played them in the same competition a couple of seasons ago and it went into extra time."

Royals boss Steve Coppell uses cup games to give fringe men a game and that applies if the opposition are Manchester United or Accrington Stanley.

That means Federici will take over in goal from first-choice Marcus Hahnemann but the Coca-Cola League One Swans will be out of luck if they are banking on an under-strength squad being sent over the border.

England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita is set to start after coming off the bench at Bolton on Saturday having missed the start of the season through a hip injury and fellow forward Dave Kitson is also available having served a three-match ban.

Federici said: "You can't get a much better front pairing than that and our team will have a lot of good players in it as well as a few younger ones too. We will all be up for this game and it is one we want to win."

Coppell is expected to give winger Bobby Convey his first start since February with the American having undergone a knee operation in March and seen Stephen Hunt take his place on the left.

With first-choice full-backs Graeme Murty and Nicky Shorey both less than fully fit fringe men John Halls and Scott Golbourne will be hoping to impress their manager, as will youngsters Alex Pearce and Simon Cox.

Federici is also keen to make a statement having missed out on the chance to start the Barclays Premier League campaign by Hahnemann's surprisingly rapid recovery from the broken hand he suffered in the final game of last season.

He said: "All credit to Marcus for getting fit so quickly but I know it is a long season and anything could happen.

"I know I have to be ready to take my chance whenever it comes and I can't wait for my first Premier League start. That's what I am aiming for."