Reading captain Lewis Wing says that despite disappointment in recent results and performances, there remains a "little bit of hope" that they can still sneak into the League One play-offs.
The Royals have three games left and are five points behind Stevenage who occupy sixth position.
After initially looking well positioned to finish inside the top six, Reading have struggled in their past three matches with two losses and a draw, and have fallen to 10th.
"We're really disappointed that it's looking like it's going to be out of reach for the play-offs," Wing told BBC Radio Berkshire.
"But we've still got a little bit of hope, it's not over yet so I think we're just fully focused on these next three games and to get as many points as possible and see where it leaves us.
"The standard of training this last week, the level's gone up again and let me tell you, we'll be ready for Cardiff this weekend."
Reading played Lincoln when they had their promotion confirmed earlier in the month and on Saturday could also see Cardiff City go up if results go the Bluebirds’ way.
Reading's final two matches will be away to already-relegated Rotherham before ending the season at home to Blackpool.
"It's football there's so many ups and downs it's just how we deal with things and I think on a whole we've got to do a little bit better," Wing added.
"It's a whole team and a whole club as one collective.
"We are disappointed, but there is still hope."
