Reading boss Steve Clarke describes Adam Federici as one of his best players, despite the keeper's blunder which gifted Arsenal victory in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.

Reading manager Steve Clarke has expressed his confidence in Adam Federici to bounce back from his blunder on Saturday which gifted Arsenal their winning goal in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Championship side had taken the holders to extra time and were still on level terms when Australian keeper Federici let Alexis Sanchez's low shot from a tight angle slip through his grasp and agonisingly over the line.

Federici had kept Arsenal at bay with several key saves during normal time and Clarke believes that he will be back to his best when Reading return to league action against Birmingham City tomorrow night.

"As I said after the game, we win together, we lose together," Clarke told the club website. "Adam is a strong character. All the players are 100% behind him, the staff are 100% behind him - he'll bounce back .

"On Wednesday night when we play Birmingham, he'll be typical Adam Federici - one of our best players."

Although Reading upset the odds by reaching the last four of the Cup, they have underwhelmed in the Championship this season and are not yet mathematically safe from the drop.