James Harper has admitted he is hurting from seeing the Royals become embroiled in a relegation scrap.

The Royals midfielder accepts his part in the eight-game losing run which has seen the club slip into the Premier League's bottom three. And he says he will be giving everything he has to ensure the team's fortunes turn around.

He said, "It's horrible when you are losing games, but I always look forward to the next game. I'm ready to go.

"I can't tell you how much I don't want to go down. I have been there in League One and the Championship before and I don't want to go there again, I would hate it.

"I want to be a top 10 Premier League club. People say to me 'you're third from bottom' and I reply 'no we're the 18th best team in the country!'

"I'm not looking at teams below me - if you do that you're going to go down. I want to catch Newcastle and Boro. Leroy said to me that looking at the table hurts him and it hurts me too. I can't speak for the boys but I'm confident we'll stay up. I hate it where we are."

With manager Steve Coppell hinting he could make changes to the team for this weekend's trip to Middlesbrough, Harper says that no Royals players should be feeling their places in the starting 11 is safe.

He added, "The gaffer is talking about changes and you can't blame him because we have lost eight games. He could drop any one of us and play a completely different team on Saturday.

"None of us would be able to go to him and say 'I should be playing' because of the run we've been on. It is a lottery as to who actually does stay in the team because everyone's name will be in the hat.

"I certainly haven't ever felt that my place should be safe. If you're not doing it the manager will find someone to replace you."

Harper also stated that the Royals midfielders are disappointed at the lack of opportunities they are creating for strike duo Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle. But he is confident that the trip to Middlesbrough represents a chance to put things right.

He said, "Our service to the strikers has been shocking. We haven't been providing them with anything, passing or crosses. But I'm confident that will change.

"We have the players. People don't realise how good John Oster is. He is brilliant and if he gets a run in the team he'll be great.

"Kebe's here as well. Unfortunately for him he hasn't got time to feel his way in. He's got to be at it straight away.

"It will be a tough game up at Boro, but I think we can get something anywhere. Our mindset now has got to be not to lose.

"It seems weird to say, but I am actually enjoying playing because of all the pressure. There is so much to play for and that gives you more of a buzz."