text: Adam Federici will put his Wembley blunder behind him when Reading take on Birmingham in the Sky Bet Championship, according to manager Steve Clarke. The Australian goalkeeper let a tame Alexis Sanchez shot slip through his grasp in the sixth minute of extra-time as the Royals were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final. It was a cruel blow for Federici, who had kept the Gunners at bay with a string of fine saves, but Reading boss  Clarke is confident the 30-year-old will bounce back. Adam Federici fails to Alexis Sanchez's shot from crossing the line at Wembley on Saturday evening . The Reading goalkeeper struggles to contain his emotions after his side's FA Cup semi-final defeat . 'It's the life of a goalkeeper,' Clarke told Reading Player. 'Adam was obviously very upset because he feels responsible for the defeat. 'It's much better in a game like that, that if you have to lose you lose to a moment of brilliance. That wasn't the case. 'As I said after the game, we win together, we lose together. Adam is a strong character. All the players are 100 per cent behind him, the staff are 100 per cent behind him - he'll bounce back . 'On Wednesday night when we play Birmingham, he'll be typical Adam Federici - one of our best players.' Federici will come up against an in-form striker in the shape of Clayton Donaldson. The 31-year-old former Brentford frontman is among the favourites to be named Blues' player of the year after hitting 15 goals this season, and manager Gary Rowett admits he is 'almost undroppable'. Reading boss Steve Clarke has backed Federici to bounce back against Birmingham in the Championship . 'He's been brilliant,' Rowett told the club website. 'He's got a little bit of everything. He's decent in the air, he's got very good pace, he holds the ball up well for others, he's got a little bit of physicality and he scores goals. 'I think he's been as good as any striker in this division and I think we're very lucky to have him. I think he's the reason why we've got some very good players like Lee Novak, Wes Thomas and Nikola Zigic, who have not played very much. 'I feel sorry for them but the reason is Clayton at the moment has been almost undroppable with his recent performances.'
target: Adam Federici allowed Alexis Sanchez's shot to squirm through his legs .
  His error meant Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup final after extra-time .
  Reading boss Steve Clarke has backed his goalkeeper to get back on track .
  The Royals face Birmingham in the Championship on Wednesday night .