Reading midfielder James Harper insists the club's slump into the relegation zone "hurts" the players.The Royals have lost eight Premier League games in a row and are now in 18th place after an excellent first season in the top flight in 2006-07.

"It's horrible when you are losing games, but I always look forward to the next game. I'm ready to go," Harper told the club's official website.

"I can't tell you how much I don't want to go down.

"I have been there in League One and the Championship before and I don't want to go there again, I would hate it."

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