Kelly - I am ready

Young defender is ready for promotion pressure

Last updated: 1st April 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kelly - I am ready

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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."