JAAP Stam believes Reading FC can still beat Fulham in the Championship play-off second leg without skipper Paul McShane.

McShane picked up a straight red card for a high tackle on Kevin McDonald 11 minutes before the end of yesterday's 1-1 draw.

McShane will now be suspended for Tuesday night's home leg at Madejski Stadium (7.45pm ko), while Stam also faces an anxious wait over goalscorer Jordan Obita, who left Craven Cottage on crutches.

But Stam is confident his squad can cope with the double blow, saying:  "When Paul has been out with injuries other players have stepped up, so we can still win the next game without him.

"Macca is a very important piece of the puzzle but we trust all our players, we're confident we can still do well.

"From what I saw today I know we can do it. We're confident in what we can bring to the game.

"Fulham are a very talented team and even though we have home advantage is doesn't guarantee anything.

"You still need to work very hard in these games to get a result.

"The difference in the play-offs is that it's not only about ability or quality, it's about your mind, dealing with the stress and playing with your heart."

Bracknell News:

Paul McShane was sent off for this tackle at Fulham.

Stam also insisted there was no vicious intent in McShane's knee-high tackle on McDonald.

"I saw a replay and Macca is not a player who does that on purpose," he argued. "He went for the ball, he tried to reach it, but their player nicked it in front of him. He was a bit late and caught the player on the knee.

"I would have been happier with a yellow card, but he pulled out a red and you need to deal with it.

"In our league game at Fulham, Danny Williams had a red card for some reason, so we knew it would be hard.

"So to finish the game 1-1 means it's still wide open, anything can happen on Tuesday."

Meanwhile Fulham boss Slaviša Jokanović suggested his side did enough to win the first-leg, though he accepted they semi final remains wide open.

"I believe we should have won the game so everything now is on the game on Tuesday night," said the Serb.

“We reacted well after Reading scored. They didn’t give us much space in the first half but we had a bit more in the second half.

“I wasn’t expecting to win 5-0 like we did in December, but I thought we should have won."

He added: "It was a very physical game and was at the limit in terms of the legality.

“We don’t have an advantage going into Tuesday, but we are always confident and I believe my players are strong enough and have the quality to win the game.”