Reading vs West Bromwich(WBA) - Reading boss ready for West Brom challenge

Reading boss Brian McDermott knows just what to expect when Tony Pulis brings West Brom to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, but is hoping for a bit of FA Cup magic to help take his side into the quarter-finals.

The Baggies are set to be without the likes of defender Gareth McAuley and midfielders James Morrison and Callum McManaman through injury, while Pulis says there are several other players doubtful for the fifth-round clash.

Whatever team Pulis sends out against the Sky Bet Championship side, McDermott is in no doubt of the challenge in front of them.

"West Brom have gone to Peterborough (in the fourth-round replay) which was a really difficult game for them, but they managed to get through that and then in the Premier League they went to Everton and won 1-0, so that shows just what they are capable of," McDermott said.

"They have got a great manager who knows what he is doing, he has done it for many, many years now.

"It has been proven whatever Tony Pulis team gets put out there, you know they are going to get results because the manager knows exactly what he is doing and you have to give a massive credit for that.

"West Brom have got individual players who can hurt you and a few of the players are still there from the last time I played them (as Reading manager in the Premier League), so they have longevity in the squad as well."

McDermott, though, is confident his squad can step up to produce the required performance.

The Royals, semi-finalists last season, thumped Walsall 4-0 in the last round, having previously put five past Huddersfield.

"The Premier League is where we all want to be, these (West Brom) players are there week in week out, so we want to meet that challenge," McDermott said on Reading Player.

"We have got a little bit of (FA Cup) history here, last season this club was in the semi-final against Arsenal and there was a chance we could have got to the final, so let's see how far we can go.

"We are getting closer (to Wembley), we are looking forward to this game.

"It is really important that we enjoy the occasion we are playing in and that we try to get through."

Pulis has accused Everton manager Roberto Martinez of sour grapes over his claim Saido Berahino should have been sent off last weekend.

The Baggies won 1-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday but Martinez insisted Berahino should have walked for an alleged kick on James McCarthy. The Football Association decided against taking any action.

But Pulis has been left unhappy with Martinez and believes he had no right to get involved.

He said: "I was a little bit disappointed with Roberto actually, in respect of trying to bring something up after we had won the game.

"It almost smells of sour grapes and you don't need that. We've gone there and won a game of football and people are looking for things to moan and groan about.

"There was an incident in the game which happened to me and I've not said a word about it because I don't think it's relevant. I was really disappointed with him bringing it up afterwards.

"Thank goodness nothing was made of it because there was nothing there. There's enough cameras there to pick something up.

"The disappointing thing is another manager, after the game, is trying to find something that could affect this club and this club has nothing to do with him."