Leigertwood backs positive approach

Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood said Reading will not fear Chelsea in their Premier League encounter on Wednesday.

The Royals began their season with a 1-1 draw against Stoke City following a late equaliser from Adam le Fondre via the penalty spot.

Their first away game of the season sees them travel to Stamford Bridge, the home of the European Champions.

Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market this summer adding players such as Eden Hazard and Brazilian youngster Oscar to an already accomplished squad.

However, the 29-year-old has warned that his side will not be too defensive against Roberto Di Matteo’s team.

“You can’t go into any games fearing teams or sitting back. You have to attack and put teams under pressure and I’m sure we’ll do that tomorrow,” he told reporters.

“We have pace in the side and strength up front with Pog (Pavel Pogrebnyak).

“We’ll play with a high tempo and that will be good for us.

“We want to give a good account of ourselves and go there and win hopefully.

“We have taken belief from watching teams like Swansea, Norwich and QPR. They all stayed up and it shows that if you go and attack you can do well in this league.”

The Berkshire club’s last spell in the top flight was mixed, suffering relegation in 2008 after a top half-finish in the previous campaign, their debut Premier League season.

Leigertwood has also tasted relegation from the Premier League with former club Crystal Palace, and as a result is determined to avoid the same fate with his current club.

“Being relegated is never nice so I am more determined than ever,” he added.

“I want to go that one step further than I did with Palace and stay up and hopefully finish my career in the Premier League.

“It feels good to be back in the Premier League. Every footballer wants to be playing at the top of their game against the best players in the league so for me it’s fantastic.”