Henry was born and bred in the Reading area

Reading's James Henry has said he is determined to keep pushing towards a regular first-team spot.

The 19-year-old midfielder scored twice as Reading lost on penalties to Stoke City in the Carling Cup.

Henry told BBC Radio Berkshire: "We've got a great youth system so hopefully even more of us will be coming through over the next few months.

"I really hope that I've done enough to be involved at the weekend, I just have to keep doing what I'm doing."

Henry added: "Jem Karacan and Alex Pearce are regulars in the first team in the league at the moment and there's Julian Kelly, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Oliver Bozanic coming through.""

Although Henry scored twice in normal time, he was one of two Reading players to miss during the penalty shoot-out.

"That's how penalties go sometimes - unfortunately Leroy and I both missed but I don't think any of the lads are going to blame us," he added.

"All the lads put in 150%, we showed great spirit to come back twice."