Reading defender Julian Kelly believes he is fully prepared to step up to the Royals first team.
Young defender is ready for promotion pressure
Julian Kelly insists that he is ready to make the step up to Reading's first team as their promotion push reaches a critical phase.
The 19-year-old defender is set to stand in for suspended right-back Liam Rosenior against Coventry on Saturday.
Kelly, who moved to Reading after leaving Arsenal's academy, is keen to repay his manager Steve Coppell for handing him a chance at senior level.
"The manager hasn't said anything to me yet (about playing), but I can tell by the shape of training that I will be involved," he told the
Reading Evening Post.
"It is a boost to my confidence to know the manager has faith in me and thinks I am capable of doing a job for the team. It makes me confident I can do it."
The Londoner made his full debut for the Royals in January, helping his team to a 1-0 victory against the Championship's top club.
He believes the experience of that match will prepare him well for the pressure of the promotion run-in.
He added: "I played against Wolves and there aren't many harder games than that. I will still be nervous before the game, but having played that game has helped a lot.
"I was up against Matt Jarvis and he is a good little player. The experience will help and hopefully I can take it into the next game."
