Federici, who spent a successful spell on loan at Southend United earlier this season, has had to play second fiddle to Marcus Hahnemann for much of his time at Reading but an injury to the keeper has opened the door for Fed to impress.

Hahnemann suffered a calf muscle injury during this morning's 1-0 win over Blackpool and Federici came on for the last 20 minutes of the game.

He was forced to pick the ball out of the net shortly after coming on but Blackpool's celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Federici now looks as though he will have several matches to stake his claim for the number one spot with his manager not expecting a swift return to action for the current custodian.

Coppell told Reading's official website: "As Marcus went to take a kick he stepped back and something pulled in his calf. And it's a fairly substantial calf he's got.

"My immediate reaction is that I'd imagine he'd be out of action for a few weeks. But Federici has been very patiently waiting and now is his opportunity. Again, we have great faith in him as a goalkeeper and we'll see what he's made of now."

Elsewhere in the Championship there was a first Derby County start for Federici's Olyroo teammate Ruben Zadkovich. However, the youngster couldn't prevent his team slumping to a 3-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.