Maik Taylor says that the mood in the Blues camp is upbeat going into this Sunday's season-decider at Reading.

The experienced goalkeeper, who was won promotions before at Blues and former club Fulham, revealed that training had gone well this week and that the players head for the Madejski Stadium determined to finish the job.

Alex McLeish's side missed out on a chance to secure second spot in last week's home defeat to Preston and now need to win at Reading to be sure of a return to the top flight.

Taylor says: "We know what's expected and where we're at and it's now full steam ahead.

"We're looking forward to the game and it's still in our hands. We know it's going to be very difficult but we're certainly well up for it.

"These are the types of games that you want to play in as a professional.

"Of all the three teams, we're still in the driving seat. If we win the game then it's all done and dusted, while others need our result to go their way, so we wouldn't change anything.

"We had a great opportunity last weekend against Preston but unfortunately two strikes and two goals in the last 20 minutes have left us in the situation that we're in.

"Before the Preston game we had three opportunities to get promoted, that was one of them and it's gone, but we have another one on Sunday and if that goes then we'll still have the play-offs.

"But all our minds are on trying to win a game of football on Sunday. We know what's required and the lads were at it today (Friday) in training and we'll be in again tomorrow.

"The preparations this week have gone exactly according to plan and we've trained well. We're certainly over (the disappointment of) the weekend now and we're looking forward to this Sunday."

Blues and Reading were the pre-season favourites for promotion from the Championship and Taylor concedes that they had wanted to have a top-two finish secured before the final day trip to Berkshire.

But after picking up impressive victories on the road already this season at the likes of Cardiff City, Swansea City, Ipswich Town and Bristol City, Taylor insists that Blues can get three points this weekend.

He continues: "At the beginning of the season we wanted it sealed before the Reading away game, it's probably the most difficult fixture in the calendar, but it's another game of football and on our day we're capable of beating anyone.

"We've generally done well against the other teams fighting at the top over the course of the season.

"We'll need more of the same at the weekend, no question. Reading have been given a lifeline. They probably felt it was beyond them a couple of weeks ago but they had a great result in the week (at Norwich).

"Both teams need nothing less than a victory so it's a great game for the neutral and we have to step up to the plate."

The game is a complete sell-out with Reading fans turning out in their numbers in anticipation of stealing the final automatic promotion place from Blues.

It's a must-win game for both clubs and Taylor believes that could make for an exciting contest.

He admits: "We have to start extremely well because we know they're going to be at it with the crowd behind them.

"We'll have to be ready for that, which I am sure we will be, and if it remains tight come the latter stages then we're expecting the game to really open up and both teams will really go for it.

"The way that Sheffield United have finished the season then we fully expect them to go and win their game, so all our focus is on our game and trying to win it.

"We're not looking to sit back on the draw. If there are a few minutes to go and we know that Sheffield United are losing then maybe it will be a case of shutting up shop.

"But we're going to approach the game to try and win it."

The supporters in the home and away ends at the Madjeski Stadium will no doubt be keeping tracks on events at Selhurst Park via radios and mobile phones. But Taylor insists that the players will not be distracted by cheers or moans from the crowd.

He recalls: "We had a home game against Newcastle a couple of seasons ago and it wasn't until I got into the dressing room that I realised that Portsmouth had won away at Wigan, which meant that we were relegated.

"I came off the pitch having drawn 0-0 thinking that a point might have been enough and that we just had to go and beat Bolton.

"Unless someone is actually telling you face-to-face what's happening, then you're fully focused on your own game."