On-loan Reading FC goalkeeper Karl Hein has opened up on his relationship with academy graduate and direct rival Luke Southwood.

Southwood has been the Royals’ number one shot-stopper for much of the season after taking over from Rafael Cabral in the autumn, but Hein’s arrival from Arsenal changed that. The Estonian has now started in goal for Reading’s last three Championship fixtures.

On Wednesday night he earned his first clean sheet for his temporary club and afterwards, he spoke to The Chronicle about his relationship with Southwood.

“Luke is an unbelievable guy, unbelievable person, and an unbelievable goalkeeper,” Hein said. “I think our relationship is very good, he’s helped me a lot since I’ve been here. 

“Obviously in football in the goalkeeper position there is only one place so there is going to be competition and we have to fight for our place. But at the end of the day, with Luke it’s definitely a goalkeeper union. 

“We really help each other and I’m really glad that we’re pushing each other, it’s really good. In training we help each other, we learn from each other.”

The point at London Road was Reading’s first since the early January draw with Derby County and despite the shocking run of form that has left Veljko Paunovic’s side under serious threat of relegation, Hein says the mood in the camp is upbeat. 

“The mood is good, no doubt,” he said. “We’re not moaning, not depressed. You just have to deal with it, get on with it. It’s a tough situation but the mood is good, the players…everybody is fighting hard to get out of it.”

Hein and Reading are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Preston for another crucial game in their fight to avoid the drop.