McClaren gunning for play-off spot

Derby manager Steve McClaren has vowed to attack against Reading as the Rams chase a Championship play-off spot.

A run of just two wins in six matches has seen the early-season favourites'campaign slip away, but they can still claim a play-off spot ahead of Brentford and Wolves with a point at the iPro Stadium.

And McClaren is confident his free-scoring side will have too much for theRoyals.

He told the club's official website: "I think the players have shown in thelast four games, especially in the three matches that we've drawn when we have come back from behind to get a point, that we have great character.

"They've fought, battled and scrapped to the stage where we are in control of our own destiny.

"We need to win the game this weekend and that's what we'll be focusing our efforts towards doing.

"This team can only play one way; we are attack-minded. We can't play for a draw or park the bus, we just have to go and play our own game and go for the win.

"If we do our job, it doesn't matter what happens elsewhere."

Derby come up against Steve Clarke's Reading side, who are without a win in 11 games and also suffered the disappointment of an FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley to bring a premature end to their season.

Clarke admitted it had been a tough few months, but suggested a win against Derby would be a good way to end the campaign.

"It'd be a little ray of sunshine for the players and the supporters," hetold the Reading Chronicle. "The supporters are suffering as are the playersbut even a win won't mask a disappointing season.

"The players are hurting. No one likes to lose games and there'll be areaction on Saturday."

Derby's closest rivals, Brentford, host Wigan in what could be Mark Warburton's final game in charge at Griffin Park.

Wolves are also at home and they face recently-relegated Millwall, but know an inferior goal difference places Brentford and Derby at an advantage.