Reading boss Steve Clarke has backed Adam Federici to bounce back from Wembley error

Reading boss Steve Clarke insists Adam Federici has the strength of character to overcome his Wembley nightmare.

The Australian goalkeeper, who left the field in tears after the final whistle, was at fault in extra-time as he let Alexis Sanchez’s shot through his body as Arsenal beat Reading 2-1 to book their place in the FA Cup final.

But Clarke has backed Federici to recover when his side face Birmingham in the Championship in midweek.

"This is the life of a goalkeeper and Adam Federici is a top goalkeeper, and every chance he will be player of the season for Reading because his performances in the Championship have been crucial," Clarke said.

"We stick by him. We lose and win as a team. We all understand how important he is for the club.

"Adam is a strong character and will take it on the chin, and Wednesday night when we play Birmingham at home, I am sure he will be as good as he always is."

Clarke, whose side got back into the game thanks to Garath McCleary’s second-half strike,  felt his side were on the wrong end of some poor officiating in key decisions, but believes his side gave an excellent account of themselves.

He said: "These are the moments you need in an game like this, where you are the underdog to go for us, unfortunately for us, they are not.

"I am disappointed because I know that not many people outside our dressing room believed me when I said I thought we would win," he said.

"Our performance showed why I had that belief, the players got the tactics spot on, we came here and had a good. There were stages in the game where we were the better team, which is an achievement against as good a side as Arsenal.

"The fans can all go home proud of their team's performance today, which shows you the potential of Reading Football Club."