The fate of Steve Coppell's men is no longer in their own hands following defeat at home by Tottenham last weekend - as the winless run which has seen them plummet into the bottom three was extended to six games.

Reading, in the final relegation place by virtue of a shocking minus 29 goal difference, must now beat bottom club Derby, who are already down, and hope revitalised Fulham do not pick up maximum points at FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.

Madejski has bankrolled the Royals' rise to the top flight for the first time in the club's history. However, after finishing a superb eighth in 2007, the Berkshire side are another to have suffered from second-season syndrome.

The likes of Stephen Hunt, England defender Nicky Shorey, Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson, James Harper, record-signing Emerse Fae - currently suspended by the Royals for refusing to play in a reserve game - and American keeper Marcus Hahnemann would all attract plenty of interest were Reading no longer able to offer Premier League football come August.

However, self-made millionaire Madejski, who funded the move to Reading's new stadium in 1998, believes the players owe it to the club to produce a fitting performance this weekend.

"If the status quo remains we will get relegated, so all we can do is play our hearts out for the sake of pride and professionalism," said Madejski.

"We must win against Derby. Whether that will be enough to avoid relegation is in the lap of the gods, but at least we would be able to come out of it with some pride and dignity.

"The pressure is off us and on Fulham instead because they know they have got to win."

Madejski told Reading World: "Our destiny isn't in our hands any longer, but we need to perform for the pride of Reading Football Club and everybody associated with us."

Whatever happens at Pride Park, Reading still need Portsmouth to get a result.

Despite Harry Redknapp's men having one eye on Wembley and the cup final against Cardiff on May 17, former Royals keeper Jamie Ashdown maintains he will be out to do his old club a massive favour.

With regular number one David James doubtful because of a calf problem, Ashdown looks set to retain his place in the team.

The 27-year-old was born in Reading and started his career with the Berkshire club before eventually heading to Fratton Park in 2004.

Ashdown will be giving his all to help boost the Royals' hopes of beating the drop.

"If we win, I get the chance to keep a clean sheet and if Reading stay up then it will be the perfect day," Ashdown told the Reading Evening Post.

"I definitely want them to stay up. It's where the whole town wants them to be.

"I am a Reading supporter. I watched them as a kid with my dad and then I played for them as a schoolboy from the age of about 13. They are my club.

"I am hoping to play on Sunday and I will be desperate to keep a clean sheet.

"It will be a hard game for us and I expect Fulham to throw everything at us because they know a win will be enough to save them.

"It is all to play for, but I will be doing my best to do Reading a favour.

"First and foremost, though, Reading have got to do the job themselves. That's all they can do."