Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie believes he has struck on a winning formula as he prepares for the tough visit of Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading.

The Eagles have won their last six games to move up to fifth in the table and put themselves firmly in the promotion picture.

Dowie admits his team took too long to adapt after relegation last season and had to change their approach.

As a result they trail the Royals by 25 points but they should provide Steve Coppell's side a stern test at Selhurst Park on Friday evening.

Dowie told the South London Press: "What we have discovered, probably a bit too late, is how to play in this division.

"That's not a criticism of anyone here. We just now know we have to play 'effective football'.

"Before it wasn't working for us. We played our best attacking football of the season against Sheffield United, and went and lost the game. You have to strike a balance between the two.

"Now we make sure we concentrate on team shape, now our work ethic is superb.

"We are becoming a little bit more game orientated, in that we are playing the right ball at the right time rather than always trying to score that perfect goal.

"We have always had plenty of fight and bite in training, but sometimes I think when you go into game mode you want to play that perfect pass and you lose that edge. We are over that now."

Palace should have midfielder Tom Soares and defender Fitz Hall back from injury and suspension respectively but Tony Popovic and Mikele Leigertwood face fitness tests.

Reading go into the match in good heart after a dramatic FA Cup win over Premiership West Brom on Tuesday and are still unbeaten in the league since the opening day of the season.

New signing John Halls, who completed a £250,000 move from Stoke today, will not feature due to a hamstring injury and Leroy Lita is likely to be on the bench despite his hat-trick against the Baggies.

Marcus Hahnemann, Nicky Shorey, Ibrahima Sonko, Glen Little, Bobby Convey, Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle are all likely to return with Steve Sidwell and James Harper keeping their places in midfield.