Vice captain Alex Pearce is the latest Royal to rally the troops ahead of the international break.

The Scottish defender could only watch from the bench as the Royals fell to defeat against Middlesbrough , and has described the frustration in the camp following the result.

"It just didn't click for us, everything was right building up to the game so we felt a bit down on ourselves in the changing room afterwards," said the 20-year-old.

"Everyone's really disappointed, especially going into the two week break, but we've just got to consolidate and try and keep our heads as much as we can. It was an off day, but everyone has them, it's about bouncing back now and about how we recover from this."

Despite not making the starting XI in recent weeks the promising youngster has travelled the length of the country in support of his team mates, watching the win over Preston from the stands despite not being named in the travelling squad.

"I haven't been involved, but I still feel very much part of the group, I was back on the bench on Saturday but when you've got good players in your position in the team, you have to bide your time."

The weekend win for Boro extended a run of winless home matches for Brendan Rodgers' side, but despite constant media attention Pearce has insisted that the streak is not affecting the mind set at Madejski Stadium.

"There's not a lot you can do, apart from keep plugging away and keep trying to do the right things, which we are. I'm sure we'll get back on track. We look forward to every game we play in, whether home or away, so I don't think there's any negative influences on us playing at home."