By Stuart Roach

Until promotion is there we have to keep working hard Ivar Ingimarsson

Ivar Ingimarsson says any promotion champagne will remain on ice until Reading are mathematically certain of a first-ever season in the Premiership.

The Royals play Leicester on Saturday knowing that victory will guarantee promotion for the runaway leaders.

But the Icelandic defender says the Royals are aiming to go up in style.

"People keep telling us how many points we need and we know we are very close, but we want to finish the job professionally," Ingimarsson said.

"It is in our own hands to finish it and that is a good feeling. But we want to finish the job sooner rather than later."

PROMOTION PERMUTATIONS On Saturday March 26... If Reading beat Leicester, they are promoted If Reading draw with Leicester, they will be promoted if Watford drop points and Leeds or Sheffield United also drop points If Reading lose to Leicester, they will still be promoted if Watford lose and either Leeds drop points or Sheffield United lose

Reading have been held to successive home draws by Watford and Wolves but are 16 points clear of Sheffield United having lost just twice in 39 league games this season.

They need only six more points to ensure they are promoted as champions and are 14 short of Sunderland's Championship points record with seven games left to play.

But Ingimarsson insisted: "We are not getting ahead of ourselves. Obviously we want to win the title - it is always better to come first than second - but promotion is the first aim.

"We have to remain professional. We are at the stage of the season where everyone raises their game and we have to cope with that.

"So far, we have, but until promotion is there we have to keep working hard."