Reading defender Michael Craig has labelled this evening's meeting with Shrewsbury Town 'must-win' if the side are to continue their chase for the play-offs.

Craig has been a stalwart for the Royals in the past 18 months, making the right-back berth his own after the long-term injury to captain Andy Yiadom last April.

Last season, the Royals battled points deductions and finished 17th, enjoying play-off form despite an atrocious start to life under Ruben Selles.

In November 2023, Reading slunk away from Shrewsbury after seeing a two-goal lead slip, including conceding twice in added time, which left them 10 points adrift of safety.

By the time Salop returned to Berkshire in February, again winning 3-2, Reading were above the dotted line but were soon to be slapped with another points deduction and were fretting over the possibility of losing Bearwood.

Fast-forward to present day and despite the manager changing hands, and goal scorer Sam Smith departing, the Royals are sat just two points outside the play-offs and Shrewsbury sit in the bottom four.

Looking for a second home win in a row and a third successive clean sheet, Craig believes Reading 'must win' against Gareth Ainsworth's resurgent side, who themselves have won two in a row, to keep their play-off push on track.

"At the moment they are in the relegation zone so they will be desperate for points but with the way we’ve played this season and how many points we’ve picked up, I think we have to be looking at that as a must-win game to try and stay around the play-offs," he told the media after Saturday's draw in Huddersfield.

Kick-starting a run of three home matches in the next four, Rotherham United visit the SCL Stadium on Saturday before the visit of league leaders Birmingham City live on Sky Sports.