The 27-year-old Australian goalkeeper had been a star in Reading's Championship promotion campaign last term before committing two blunders early in the Premiership this season against Stoke City and Chelsea.

In Reading's first league game since the Chelsea blunder, Federici was absent although it had been rumoured to be due to a groin injury which had forced him out of Socceroos duty.

However Royals boss Brian McDermott later confirmed overlooking Federici for Alex McCarthy was a "tactical decision".

The situation led to Federici's girlfriend Micaela Gardner taking to Twitter to slam the Royals.

“Football has left me feeling totally numb and empty inside! For once I have NO explanation! #noloyalty #absolutejoke,” she wrote.

She added: "Unbelievable!!! You need thick skin for success!!"

McDermott had told BBC after Sunday's defeat: “It was a tactical decision that we made (starting McCarthy over Federici)."

However, he later added: “Adam's got a problem with his knee as well, so we've got to take a look at that and he could be out for a while now. He's got to recuperate, but when he's back he'll challenge for that position."

After Federici's partner took to Twitter though, McDermott admited the keeper was dropped for his poor form recently.

"I really like Adam and he works very hard but things have not gone his way, so Alex has come into the team," McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"The fact of the matter is, I spoke to Adam on Saturday and I made a decision that Alex McCarthy was going to play in the game on Sunday.

"No player at the club is in a position that means they will play every week.

"Adam Federici has done fantastically well for me and I know him really well, but he is no different to a full-back or centre-half or striker."

He added: "Adam does not see it that way. He wants to be back in the squad and fighting for his place and not being on the bench."