DANNY Guthrie is keen to get one over on his former club on Sunday, but insists three points are all that matters for Blackburn Rovers.

Guthrie, who played 67 games for the Royals in a three-year spell at the Madejski Stadium, made his first start under new Rovers boss Paul Lambert in Monday’s goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

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And the 28-year-old, who hadn’t started since picking up a thigh injury at Hull on September 26, is hoping he has done enough to keep his place to face Reading.

“I was injured for quite a while. I came back the same time as the manager came in and wasn’t ready to start,” he said. “The lads have done well and I’ve had to be patient.

“You can only put yourself in the frame and hopefully the manager picks you.”

Guthrie is no stranger to returning to former stomping grounds, having already played for seven clubs in the top two divisions.

“I’ve done it before,” he said of Sunday’s return to Berkshire. “I’ll be keen to put one over on them but I just want the three points.”

While Rovers are enjoying a profitable spell under Lambert, Reading reappointed Brian McDermott as their new manager.

That could make it a tougher test for Rovers, but Guthrie believes the next few weeks could be crucial in their chances of launching a sustained play-off assault.

“It’s a key spell in the season,” he said. “If you can come out of the Christmas period and you’re still in the mix then you’ve got a massive chance.

“This is a really good side with good energy and a good attitude and we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”