PHIL Parkinson makes an emotional return to Reading tonight with the aim of booking another Wembley date with City – something he never managed as a player.

Parkinson is sure of a special reception at the club where he played for 11 years and more than 400 games.

But his one big regret was missing out on representing Reading at Wembley – and does not want his team to suffer the same fate.

An FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at the national stadium awaits the winners and Parkinson knows what that prize will mean.

He said: "Some players go through their whole careers and don't get the chance to play at Wembley. I didn't and that is a frustration.

"I played in a play-off final but it was at the Millennium Stadium. I also missed a Wembley final for Reading through injury.

"It was the one against Bolton in 1995 that finished 4-3 after Reading had been 2-0 up. I missed the last three months of the season with a knee injury.

"I was on the bench, sitting at the back. Reading had only ever been to Wembley once and that was in the Simod Cup final.

"The atmosphere was incredible but obviously I wanted to be out there. I was devastated to miss out.

"I always wanted to play at Wembley. It wasn't as if I got injured the week before. It was in February. I tried to come back too early and my knee flared up.

"The specialist said I had to miss a few months or long-term the knee could have affected me. That was that.

"Playing at Wembley is such a massive goal and not many get a chance to do so. We are one game off potentially doing it and that is why the lads are so determined to give it everything at Reading.

"I never got to play there but, hopefully, our lads can get that opportunity."

Parkinson has been back to Reading once before as Charlton boss for a 2-2 draw in March 2009. But that will be dwarfed by this occasion as City look to reach the FA Cup last four for the first time since they won it 104 years ago.

The Bantams boss said: "Last time I went back was a bit of a low-key midweek game towards the end of the season. This is going to be a lot bigger.

"I believe this will be a real, great night of cup football. I am sure of that. It means so much for both clubs. You could feel that in the manner of the first game and how tight things were.

"Look at Liverpool against Blackburn the day after, when there was so much at stake that it never got going.

"For us, the tension was huge. Now though, Reading will have to have a different approach. They came to draw at our place by sitting back and spoiling the game.

"I had no qualms about that. But now things have to change and it will be more of an open match.

"For the players, the first game was the biggest of their careers. I could feel that. I could sense it in the dressing room before the match.

"This will be no different but it is exciting. For me personally, I am looking forward to going back – but I want to go back and get through."

The Championship side will start as favourites with home advantage. Reading's estimated £23million playing budget is more than ten times that of City.

Parkinson said: "The pressure is right on Reading. They were able to come to us and spoil the game and disrupt the flow. But you don't get away with playing like that at home. Reading will have to have a go and try to win the game and that should open things up.

"We are up against a team from a higher division and there is a massive gulf in resources. So for anyone to come off the pitch (at Valley Parade) and say 'Bradford should have won' was a big testament to ourselves.

"Reading were not going to be like Millwall, fighting a relegation battle when we played them. Their eye might not have quite been on the game when they played us.

"The Reading match was different but you couldn't tell which side was from the higher division. That is why I was so proud of how we played. Let's not forget that gulf that exists."