THE Valley Parade pitch will not be a factor in City’s FA Cup showdown with Reading on Saturday.

City’s home surface has come in for widespread flak this season – and was condemned as the “worst in the country” by Sunderland boss Gus Poyet before the fifth round.

But Reading chief Steve Clarke has insisted it has not been a topic of conversation in their dressing room.

And Phil Parkinson reckons the Royals are used to playing on a difficult pitch of their own.

He said: “I went to see Reading play against Wigan and the pitch down there is not in the best condition.

“I know they’ve found it tough at home, so they’re used to playing on a heavy pitch. The weather forecast is good and if that’s the case, the pitch will be decent.”

Parkinson believes that the noisy Valley Parade faithful can again prove to be a game-changer.

He added: “In the national papers after we beat Sunderland, our supporters got as many plaudits as the team and rightly so. It was a special atmosphere and when Valley Parade is full it can be quite an intimidating place.

“I want our supporters to enjoy every minute of the day at the weekend and understand that supporters of big teams like Newcastle and Sunderland will be looking on at us and saying ‘we’d love to be where you are’.

“I want them to savour every minute, get to the ground early and enjoy the build-up and give everything they’ve got to back the team like they always do.”