Reading boss Paul Ince underlined the importance of winning second balls in Saturday's clash with Millwall, believing his team have to earn the right to play their football.

The Lions have a 100 per cent record in the league at the Den, winning both of their fixtures on their home patch.

Although the Royals have the same at home, they are yet to score or pick up a point on their travels- losing 1-0 to Blackpool and 4-0 to Rotherham United.

Winless in five against Gary Rowett's side and without a win on Zampa Road since 2014, Reading are in for a battle.

READ MORE: Reading FC opponents Millwall hope to 'concede less goals'

Speaking to the media before the match, Ince said: "It’s a game where you have got to win second balls. I wouldn’t say they don’t play football, because they do, but I think it’s going to be one of those games. It’s Millwall- it will be a cauldron of fans, raucous. We need to win balls, set pieces, second balls, and then play our game. If we do that, you’ll be okay."

An accomplished player himself, with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Inter Milan and England on his CV; Ince knows what it takes to win battles.

Talking on his own experiences, Ince harked back to the Wimbledon teams of the 1980s and 1990s.

"With Manchester United we used to go to Wimbledon with big Vinnie Jones and Fash [John Fashanu].

"I used to dread it because it was ‘put it in the mixer’ and ‘oh not again’ but after 30 minutes you see out the battle and then implement your own game. Once you did that, it was fine, so that’s what we need to do: see out the first 20 minutes and then implement our own game."