Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici still feels he has his best ahead of him in regards to the Australian national team. The 26-year old has emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the English Championship in the past season-and-a-half, making close to 80 league appearances for the Royals, who this season are serious promotion contenders.

The New South Welshman, currently sidelined by a medial ligament strain, has played three times for the Socceroos as he continues his development under Fulham veteran Mark Schwarzer but he admits that the number one spot in the green and gold is still certainly a goal for him, provided the 38-year old relinquishes his tight grasp on the national team gloves.

"Of course, every keeper wants to play for his country but in goalkeeping terms I have a long time to fulfill those dreams so I don't want to get ahead of myself," he told tribalfootball.com.

"But having played the games I've played for the national team, I've taken that opportunity as well and proved that I can play at international level and I look forward to playing a few more games if Mark wants to give me a few more.

"He's obviously a tremendous athlete and to continue playing on into his late 30s is a credit to his professionalism and athletic ability."

And Federici admitted he could do worse than take advice from and learn things from the Schwarzer school.

"I've learnt a lot from Mark. I spent a lot of time with him at the World Cup. We have different ways of doing things but mainly his professionalism on and off the pitch is something for someone like myself to look up to," he added.

Federici has been busy getting himself back to full fitness following his knee injury as Reading prepare for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City at Eastlands. Unfortunately, Federici will miss this weekend's massive encounter.