In December, shortly after returning from his loan spell, Federici signed a contract extension, keeping him with the club until the summer of 2011. During December, Federici also started a run of first team appearances for Reading, due to a calf injury sustained by longtime first-choice stopper Marcus Hahnemann against Blackpool, keeping the American goalkeeper out for several weeks. After coming on as a late substitute in that game, Federici went on to make his full league debut between the posts against Norwich City, drawing praise from manager Steve Coppell for his performance. On 26 December 2008, Federici scored a 96th-minute goal from a rebound after Michael Duberry had a header cleared off the line from a Stephen Hunt corner, to give Reading a late equaliser in their 1–1 draw against Cardiff City.